Abhishek Bachchan and John Abraham are the Best Couple at the Nokia 15th Annual Star Screen Awards. That is a first for Bollywood.

It was a first in the history of Indian cinema. The Nokia 15th Annual Star Screen Award for the Best Couple went to two men, who played a gay couple (albeit fake) in ‘Dostana’.

John Abraham and Abhishek Bachchan won the golden statuette from under the noses of Aamir Khan and Asin, Aishwarya Rai and Hrithik Roshan, Katrina Kaif and Akshay Kumar, and Kaif and Salman Khan. Interestingly, the award was handed out by the other halves of the two men — actors Rai and Bipasha Basu, who giggled like schoolgirls over their men being called a “couple”, insisting they “don’t mind at all”.

“It is an unexpected award to get, and it feels a bit strange. But I am glad to be here to receive the award, and I do miss Abhishek, especially his chest hair,” joked Abraham, stroking host Sajid Khan’s shaved chest, inciting hoots of laughter.

Amid ribald jokes made by hosts Khan and Shreyas Talpade, much of the evening was painted pink. The two hosts vied for Abraham’s attention, Khan even sporting the famous yellow trunks for a bit, and they even made a few presentations dressed in drag. And, yes, it could’ve been cheesy but it actually was a lot of fun.

Perhaps it is light-hearted banter but nevertheless it makes one wonder — is this the tip of the iceberg? Are things really changing in Bollywood?

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