The annual V Shantaram Awards saw new and old stars come together to celebrate the 50th year of Shantaram’s classic song-and-dance film Navrang. Veteran actress Sandhya, who starred in the film Do Aankhen Barah Haath and others, was given the special lifetime achievement award amidst a standing ovation.

Choreographer Pony Verma updated the famous track 'Ja Re Hat Natkhat' with a performance. A glowing Rani Mukerjee won the award for best actress, while Nandita Das won an award for best debuting director. While accepting the best music award on behalf of music director Pritam from maestro Pt Jasraj, Imtiaz Ali said, “I think Pritam’s missed a golden opportunity to receive an award from your hands Panditji. Getting it from you matters more than anything else.”

Prominent among other attendees were Yash Chopra, Jeetendra, Randhir Kapoor, Shiamak Davar, Pallavi Joshi and Priyadarshan.

Happy to be here: Nandita Das