Rediff Movie Awards

As 2006 begins in earnest, it's award season in Bollywood. We at rediff.com decided to kick things off with our very own picks of the best from the year gone by. Ladies and gentlemen, without any further ado, here are the winners of the Rediff Movie Awards 2006:

One of the coolest soundtracks of the year, this boasted of music by Vishal-Shekhar, the UK based Trickbaby, remixes by Sameeruddin, and more. The result: an edgy album that hit home with hiphop listeners and Bollywood lovers alike. Nice.

Newcomers of the Year: Chitrangda Singh, Abhay Deol

The ravishing Chitrangda wowed audiences and critics alike with her astonishing debut in Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi, and was hailed as 'the next Smita Patil'. But she vanished into thin air and announced a sudden retirement.

Yet another star-child, Dharmendra's nephew Abhay popped up on screen opposite Ayesha Takia in Imtiaz Ali's Socha Na Tha and proceeded to deliver a refreshingly natural performance with great restraint and likeability.

Best Actor in Villainous Role: Nana Patekar (Apaharan)

Tabrez Alam was a well-written character, but would possibly have come across as just another cardboard villain without this spirited performance from the intense Nana Patekar. Compellingly played.

Best Actor in Comic Role: Akshay Kumar (Garam Masala)

It's been a gradual transformation, but action star Akki has now completely metamorphosed into one of the industry's most gifted comic actors. With stellar timing and extraordinary restraint, he made Garam Masala a laugh riot -- all on his own steam.

Best Supporting Actress: Ayesha Kapur (Black)

Capable of putting many established stars to shame, little Ayesha stole the spotlight completely in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Black. An incredible debut from an unschooled actress, Ayesha was naturally wonderful.

Best Supporting Actor: Riteish Deshmukh (Bluffmaster)

Suddenly hailed as this generation's least contrived actor, Riteish is an absolute natural, making his every character seem an effortless portrayal. As Dittu in Rohan Sippy's conman comedy, he whisked the limelight casually away from Abhishek Bachchan, playing the over the top sidekick to perfection.

Best Director: Sudhir Mishra (Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi)

Always a fine director, Mishra never seemed more in control of his craft than with this elygiac look at the 1970s. A very nuanced film about realistic human relationships was an absolute treat to watch.

Best Film: Iqbal

Thank you, Nagesh Kukunoor. A powerful, well-meaning script, laced with just the right amounts of cliche and mush resulted in a feel-good film that found unanimous applause. Iqbal brought filmmaking back to roots, and gave us a sports movie we can really be proud of.

Best Actress: Rani Mukerji (Black)

Sanjay Leela Bhansali's masterstroke was in casting this woman for his lead. While critics debated subtext and meaning, most of them applauded Ms Mukerji's brave portrayal of the severely handicapped Michelle.

Best Actor: Shreyas Talpade (Iqbal)

Beating off competition from Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan and Saif Ali Khan is no easy task, but if Indian cinema has seen an underdog champion in 2005, it is the man who made us believe in Iqbal. With a smashing bowling action, Talpade showed off a lot of heart as he gave his all to the role.