Tonight’s the night, and the stage is set

About his nomination in the best actor (male) category for Chak De! India, Khan said: “I am rather undeservedly credited for many things like the Indian cricket victory and Vishwanathan Anand’s triumph. I always believed the film (Chak De) will do well. It’s just the extent of its success that has surprised me.”

Apart from Chak De, Om Shanti Om, also starring Khan, has been nominated in the best film award category along with movies like Life In A Metro, Guru and Taare Zameen Par.

The excitement, as expected, has already caught on the who’s who of the film industry. “This is the first time I have been nominated in the best actor category. I’m humbled it is from the Screen Awards,” said Abhishek Bachchan, who is currently shooting in Jaipur for Dilli 6. “My first-ever award as a newcomer too was given by Screen for Refugee.”

Abhishek’s wife, Aishwarya Rai, who has been nominated in the best actor (female) category for her performance in Guru, was equally forthcoming. “Guru will always have a special place in our lives, both professionally and personally,” she said. “We humbly accept this appreciation for such a special film in our life.”

Guru director Mani Ratnam, whose film has bagged 14 nominations in various categories, said: “I’m too shy. I just don’t know what to say.” Kareena Kapoor, who won last year’s best actor (female) award and has been nominated again, said: “I will be away in Greece shooting for Tashan. But I will send Lolo (sister Karisma Kapoor) to collect my award.”

No matter which corner of the country they were in, Bollywood’s celebrities made it a point to express their gratitude for the nominations.

While Viveik Oberoi called back from as far as Vaishno Devi, Anil Kapoor promised to help us reach daughter Sonam who’s shooting in a weak mobile-network area of Jaipur for Dilli 6. “I am grateful, first to Sanjayji (Bhansali) and Sony Pictures for giving me such a big break and then to Screen for nominating me,” said Sonam, who will be competing with Deepika Padukone for the most promising newcomer (female) award.