20th Annual Life OK Screen Awards/ Winners

Actions speak louder than words, and Manohar Verma who won the Screen Award for Best Action in Madras Café, prefers to let his work do the talking. Witness to high voltage stunts and action in the film Madras Café, that dealt with LTTE insurgency, Verma painted a very realistic picture of strife torn Sri Lanka when the LTTE spoke the language of guns. Following in his father’s footsteps —action director Badriprasad Verma who served the industry for over six decades, Verma has made a name for himself with films like Gadar: Ek Prem Katha (2001). He has given action in 150 television commercials like Ford Icon, HP Power, Reebok, and has worked on a foreign commercial called Vester Cowboy. Verma has also ventured into regional cinema, providing action in films like Madras Pattinam (Tamil), a Dutch movie Bollywood Hero among  others.

“During the release of Madras Café, I was in hospital as both
my legs were fractured. I wasn’t aware of the critical acclaim that the film received. I thank Screen for recognising my work, as Madras Café had some real action, which is rare in films today. Being pitted against films like Dhoom 3, Krrish 3, Shootout At Wadala and winning the trophy feels great.”
— Manohar Verma

Best  Costume

Anju Modi & Maxima Basu (Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-leela)

Designing exquisite ghagra-cholis with intricate designs and embroidery that brought out the ethnic flavour of Gujarat was quite a daunting task for designers Anju Modi and Maxima Basu. Their hardwork and labour paid off, as the duo walked away with the Screen Award for Best Costume Design for Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-leela. Assimilating the nuances and vibrant tradions of India, Modi has travelled across the country blending different fabrics, reviving lost art, reinterpreting bandhani designs, that were reflected in her creations and stylisation of the costumes worn by the cast in the film.
For Basu, a student of journalism, her sojourn in the industry began with her working as an assistant to Danny Boyle for Slumdog Millionaire. As a costume designer, her first big break came with Aamir Khan Productions Peepli Live. This is the first Screen Award for both Modi and Basu.

“I have to say that post all the happiness, excitement and moments of jumping with joy, I do feel a little pressure as the award comes with a lot of expectations. I must add that Screen Awards were well evaluated and fair, not just in my category but others as well. I do hope that with this award, my work will also get recognised.” — Maxima Basu

“This is my first ever trophy from the film fraternity and coming from a prestigious award platform like Screen, it really means a lot. I would like to thank the eminent Jury members for showing this faith in my work and believing in me. The thought of getting nominated never crossed my mind, so holding the golden lady is definitely a blessing.” — Anju Modi