MUMBAI: The 9^th edition of the Renault Star Guild Awards was brought to a close this evening with the biggest stars of the Indian Film and Television industry at Mumbai’s NSCI Ground, Worli. The eventful night saw Salman Khan take centre stage for the second year running as the host for the evening, sharing screen space and a brilliant camaraderie with his colleagues.

The Film & Television Producers Guild of India announced the winners in Film & Television for the year gone by where the Milkha Singh biopic, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag were the favourites of the night, walking away with an impressive 8 awards.  Farhan Akthar swept the Best Actor in a leading role category and saw the film take home Best Screenplay and Best Story for Prasoon Joshi, Best Cinematography, Best Sound Design, Best Actress in a supporting role for Divya Dutta, Best Director for Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra and the enviable Best Film award for Viacom 18 Motions Pictures and Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra.

Speaking of his Best Actor in a leading role, Farhan Akthar said, “The biggest thank-you goes to Milkha Singh and his family for all the support and passion that he put in to me. When I met him for the first time, he told me about the sacrifices he went through in his life and Prasoon has captured it very well in the title track.”

2013’s heartwarming The Lunchbox won 3 awards including Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Nawazuddin Siddiqui, the Star Verdict Awards for Irfaan Khan and The Yash Chopra Award for the Most Promising Debut Director to Ritesh Batra.

2013, being a year for big ticket films that saw an unprecedented number of movie-goers with box office sales spilling over the Rs. 500 cr mark The Film & Television Producers Guild of India introduced the Guild Hall of Fame announcing 2013’s nine major film titles from the year gone by to be included into this exclusive club. The announcement made by Ramesh Sippy and host, Salman Khan saw Race 2, Aashiqui 2, Krrish 3, Chennai Express, Dhoom 3, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, Grand Masti, Goliyon Ka Rasleela: Ramleela and Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani being inducted into the Guild Hall of Fame.

Commemorate the 100th birth anniversary of late filmmaker Khwaja Ahmed Abbas, the Guild also introduced the K. A. Abbas Honour for Cinema with Social Sensitivity. Mr. Amitabh Bachchan gave away the award naming the film, Shahid as its first ever recipient.

Varun Sharma of Fukrey fame and Arshad Warsi (Jolly LLB) shared the award for Best Performance in a comic role while Sushant Singh Rajput walked away with the award for Most Promising Debut – Male for the unconventional film, Kai Po Che! Vaani Kapoor took home the award for Most Promising Debut – Female for the film, Shuddh Desi Romance.

The evening was coupled with enthralling performances by the superstars themselves including Kareena Kapoor Khan, Prabhu Deva who was joined by young starlet, Sonakshi Sinha, Shahid Kapoor, Shraddha Kapoor and Jacqueline Fernandez.

The Renault Star Guild Awards have been instituted by the Film and Television Producers Guild of India with an objective to establish a standard for honouring excellence and achievements in the Indian film industry.

The 9^th Renault Star Guild Awards is presented by Renault and Star TV. The Brand Parners for the Awards are Gionee Smart Phone and the Videocon Group. WeChat is the official Messaging Partner for the event.