IIFA 2017: Shahid Kapoor, Alia Bhatt win Best Actors awards for Udta Punjab

Shahid Kapoor and Alia Bhatt were named the Best Actors at the 18th India International Film Awards.

Shahid Kapoor and Alia Bhatt were named Best Actors at the 18th edition of the IIFA Awards, for their remarkable work in Udta Punjab on Saturday. Diljit Dosanjh also won the best debut actor male for the same film.

Shahid and Alia worked together on Udta Punjab.

Both Shahid and Alia were emotional about winning the award for a film which made its way to the big screen after fighting the censor board, and let mainstream performers like them take up something risky.

Shahid Kapoor accepts his award for Best Actor from Katrina Kaif. (AFP)

Diljit too thanked his fans for support in a Twitter post.

“Love my fans. Guys this is all because of you. Thanks team IIFA and ‘Udta Punjab’,” he tweeted.

Katrina Kaif gave away the award to Shahid, while Varun Dhawan announced Alia as the Best Actor - Female at the event, held at the Metlife Stadium here.

Alia Bhatt reacts after learning she got the award for Best Actress as she arrives with Varun Dhawan. (AFP)

The Best Picture honour went to Neerja, based on the real life story of Neerja Bhanot, an air hostess who lost her life while trying to save others on a hijacked flight at Karachi.

Diljit Dosanjh (R) accepts Best Debut actor award from actor Alia Bhatt during the 18th International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Festival. (AFP)

Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury walked away with the Best Direction award for Pink, a hard-hitting drama which put forth the message that when a woman says no, it is a no.

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