The Screen Awards have always held their ground against popular awards that compromise on quality. The only criterion for winning is professional excellence and for this very reason, it is one of the most coveted film awards in the country.

The award statuette was first unveiled at the 1st Screen Awards ceremony at the Helipad in Mumbai’s Film City. It was the first time that Sunil Gavaskar was persuaded to attend a film function. And none present will ever forget Dadamoni Ashok Kumar stepping on to stage to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award.

In its second year with theatre person Alyque Padamsee heading the event, a near theatrical was guaranteed. Screen siren Urmila Matondkar arrived at the unusual venue, the Juhu Flying Club, aboard a glider plane. Artist MF Husain dramatically painted his muse, Madhuri Dixit, live on stage. And lastly keeping the audience gripped, Hollywood’s man of steel, Steven Seagal, received a warm welcome with confetti showers.

Fast forward to the 4th year, which was dedicated to comedy with an army of Bollywood’s most-loved comedians gathering on stage, including Mehmood who came despite his respirator in tow. The night also saw the esteemed Ramnath Goenka Memorial Award bestowed on Dilip Kumar, by BR Chopra, with a citation by Rekha.

Over the years, the Screen Awards have only gotten bigger. In the 5th year, the jury comprised an illustrious set of invitees, from the Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts and Sciences, Hollywood. It wad also the year that Ajay Devgan and his wife Kajol, left the stage hand-in-hand, with their statuettes for Best Actor, Zakham and Best Actress, Dushman.

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