Red-carpet bonhomie: Jaya Bachchan, Rekha hug each other!

The Star Screen Awards last night was a starry event -- it literally brought the traffic at Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex to a grinding halt. The first awards night of 2016 also witnessed its share of awkward and awesome moments. Here’s the lowdown:

Jaya and Amitabh Bachchan walked in together with a battery of guards, who continued to surround Big B even when he was watching the dance performances inside the venue.

On the red carpet, photographers requested the first couple of Bollywood to pose for them. However, the requests were responded with a scowl and a sign to ‘Shut Up’ from Jayaji. Probably, it had something to with the fact that Big B was on a heavy dose of painkillers because of a rib injury on the sets of Te3n.

Jaya was not the only one who seemed miffed with the media, though. Rishi Kapoor, who was honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award, walked in with wife Neetu. On his way out, he bumped into the podium, causing a news channel’s boom to hit the floor. “Chalo ek toh gira,” he remarked.

Deepika Padukone chose to make a backdoor-entry. Sources say she first went backstage to meet beau Ranveer Singh, who was a performer at the do. After his performance, Ranveer sat by his ladylove’s side. They even had a cute little visitor: Baby Harshaali Malhotra aka Munni of Bajrangi Bhaijaan.

Rekha also made a backdoor entry and initially breezed past the Bachchan couple. But after a while, she was seen shifting her place to sit next to Jaya and the ladies even hugged in full public view.

When Sonakshi Sinha bumped into Ranveer on the red carpet, she broke into an impromptu Malhari jig. The two also posed for photos together.

Ranveer, when asked about Deepika’s Hollywood debut, said, “She hasn’t confirmed it yet. The director has tweeted, that’s his thing. Let’s see if she really goes.” What about reprising Sanjay Dutt’s role in the Khalnayak remake and playing a dwarf in Aanand L Rai’s next? “I’ve only signed Befikre as of now. I’m still working out the dates for the others.”

Akshay Kumar looked extremely happy as he walked in with his Airlift heroine Nimrat Kaur.

But he wasn’t too pleased to deal with questions about his alleged ex-flame Priyanka Chopra. When asked about her recent win at the People’s Choice Award, he said, “She’s doing a great job, she deserves the award. She’s making India proud.” But when asked if he has

watched Quantico, gritting his teeth and covering that with a smile, he answered, “Abhi nahi beta...time nahi hai.”

Akshay and Irrfan Khan also bonded bigtime. Akshay told Irrfan, “Yeh le teri heroine (Nimrat). Lunchbox ke baad ab dinnerbox bana lo.”

Ranveer made several star friends and seniors in the crowd dance along with him. But Akshay was the most spirited dancer of the evening. The two also bonded backstage over cups of green tea.

Huma Qureshi waited on the red carpet, but the media preferred to speak to Urvashi Rautela instead. So, after some time, she made a quiet exit.

Varun Dhawan seemed to have lost weight and even appeared tired after a long and physically draining act. Sonam Kapoor also looked drained out. She admitted to have missed her bestie Jacqueline Fernandes on her Maldives holiday, because the Sri Lankan beauty was at work in Dubai.

Meanwhile, here are the main winners:

Best Film (Popular Choice) – Bajrangi Bhaijaan

Best Film (Jury Choice) – Talvar

Best Director – Kabir Khan (Bajrangi Bhaijaan)

Best Actor – Ranveer Singh (Bajirao Mastani), Amitabh Bachchan (Piku)

Best Actress – Deepika Padukone (Piku)

Best Actor (Popular Choice) – Shah Rukh Khan

Best Actress (Popular Choice) – Deepika Padukone (Piku, Tamasha)

Best Child Actor – Harshali Malhotra (Bajrangi Bhaijaan)

Best Supporting Actor – Deepak Dobriyal (Tanu Weds Manu Returns)

Best Supporting Actress – Priyanka Chopra (Bajirao Mastani)

Best Actor (Jury Choice) – Irrfan Khan (Talvar)