India's stars illuminate BAFTA's stage, from AR Rahman's musical mastery to Anupam Kher's poignant performances, echoing a legacy of brilliance in global cinema.
The 2023 British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA), a glittering celebration of cinematic brilliance, took center stage at London's Royal Festival Hall on February 19, 2023. This event, honouring the finest in both local and global cinema from 2022, unites the talented minds behind the year's most captivating films. Started way back in 1949, these awards have become a major event in the movie world, with millions tuning in to watch. The 2023 show had its highest viewership in years, hitting 3.8 million on BBC One and reaching over nine million more online. Looking ahead, BAFTA sets the stage for the 2024 Film Awards, igniting excitement with the commencement of Round One voting on December 8, 2023. Before the curtains rise on the 2024 extravaganza, let's take a closer look at the trailblazing Indian talents who have scored big at BAFTAs.
AR Rahman, a multifaceted talent in the realm of music, stands as an Indian music composer, record producer, singer, songwriter, musician, multi-instrumentalist, and philanthropist. Renowned for his contributions to Indian cinema, especially in Tamil and Hindi films, he has also made noteworthy appearances in global cinema. Rahman's exceptional musical compositions in "127 Hours" and "Slumdog Millionaire" earned him prestigious BAFTA awards in 2011. His mastery earned him the titles for Best Original Music Score and Best Original Song, marking his brilliance in the international music sphere.
Veteran Hattangadi holds the distinction of being the sole Indian actor to claim a BAFTA. Her triumph came as Best Supporting Actress for portraying Kasturba Gandhi in the 1982 film "Gandhi." Over a remarkable career spanning four decades, this National Award-winning actress has left an indelible mark on Indian cinema. Her versatility shines in a range of movies spanning Hindi, Marathi, and Telugu languages, with memorable roles in films like "Munnabhai MBBS," "Pukar," "Damini," "Ghatak," "Arth," "Party," and "Saaransh," among others.
English actor Dev Patel, born to Gujarati Hindu parents from India, earned two BAFTA nominations. His first nomination was for the 2009 film "Slumdog Millionaire" in the Best Actor in a Leading Role category. However, he clinched the award for his performance in the 2017 film "Lion," securing the Best Supporting Role award. His talent and versatility shone through, marking his success in both leading and supporting roles.
Shekhar Kapur graces the world with his presence as an Indian filmmaker and actor. In 1998, Shekhar Kapur was nominated for Best Direction for the film "Elizabeth" at the BAFTA awards ceremony. Additionally, the movie earned the distinction of winning the award for Outstanding British Film.
In 2013, Suraj secured a BAFTA nomination in the Rising Star category, attributed to his remarkable performance in Ang Lee's "Life Of Pi." Standing as the sole male contender among the shortlisted nominees, his talent captured the attention of the judging panel, which included luminaries like actor Benedict Cumberbatch and director Kevin Macdonald.
In the realm of the 2018 British romantic drama "The Boy With The Topknot," Kher's portrayal garnered a BAFTA nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Within this poignant narrative, he adeptly performed the role of Sacha Dhawan's on-screen father, delivering a performance that merited recognition at the prestigious awards ceremony.
