The 48th Filmfare Awards 2002 was held at the MMRDA grounds in Bandra-Kurla complex on February 21.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s magnum opus 'Devdas' that failed to get an Oscar nomination nod walked away with 11 Filmfare awards in categories including Best Actor (Shah Rukh Khan), Best Director, Best Actress(Aishwatrya Rai), Best supporting actress (Madhuri Dixit). An interesting tidbit worth remembering, many years ago, Vyajayanthi Mala who played Chandramukhi to Dilip Kumar’s Devdas in Bimal Roys version refused to accept the filmfare award maintaining that hers was not a supporting role! If Madhuri had any qualms about that no one knew as she was a no show at the awards bash.

Devdas also bagged trophies for choreography (Saroj Khan)and for best female playback singer (Kavita Krishnamurthy and Shreya Ghoshal).

Saathiya, the remake of Mani Rathnam’s Tamil film Alaipayuthey won four awards, for best music director (A.R. Rahman), best lyrics (Gulzar), screenplay (Mani Ratnam) and best male playback singer (Sonu Nigam).

Vivek Oberoi, who won rave reviews for his debut role in Ram Gopal Varma’s Company took home two awards, best male debut actor in Road and best supporting actor in Company. Ajay Devgun won an award for his villainous portrayal in Deewangee. Awara Pagal Diwana fetched Paresh Rawal an award for his comedic skills.

The critics award for best actress was shared by Manisha Koirala (Company) and Rani Mukherjee(Saathiya).

AR Rahman also won for best background score( The legend of Bhagat Singh). The award for best dialogue writer went jointly to Gulzar [Saathiya] and Jaideep Sahni (Company). Sahni also got the award for best story (Company).

Other highlights of the evening included Shah Rukh Khan being presented the Swiss consulate's trophy for promoting Switzerland as the ultimate lovers paradise, by Geraldine Chaplin, actress and daughter of the legendary Charlie Chaplin. Bollywood veterans Rekha and Jeetendra were honored with lifetime Achievement awards.

Best Film - Devdas
Best Actor – Shah Rukh Khan (Devdas)
Best Actress – Aishwarya Rai (Devdas)
Best Supporting Actress – Madhuri Dixit (Devdas)
Best Supporting Actor- Vivek Oberoi (Company)
Best Music Director – A.R. Rahman (Saathiya)
Best Female Playback Singer – Kavitha Krishnamurthy and Shreya Gosal (Devdas)
Best Male Playback singer – Sonu Nigam (Saathiya)

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