"Aamir (Aamir Khan), my son, normally does not accept awards. I am in a dilemma. I don't know what to do. But because I believe it is a genuine award, I will accept it on his behalf." 

With that statement, Aamir Khan's father and film maker put the stamp of approval and paid respect to the Zee Network organised Lux Zee Cine Popular Awards. The Junior Khan got the award for Best Actor, through a poll process that directly involved viewers of Zee TV, for his role in Sarfarosh. 

The best actress award went to Aishwarya Raid for her able essaying of the role of a young girl forced into marriage by a doting father, her rebellion, and her final reconciliation to the fact that her husband is a much better choice for her than her lover (played by Salman Khan), in the box office success Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. 

The best director award and best film award went to film maker Sanjay Leela Bhansali for Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. Veteran actor Pran was given a lifetime achievement award. Ditto with film maker Nasir Hussain. Both have been associated with roles and films which have become bellwethers for the industry.

The awards function was held at a sports stadium, the Andheri Sports Complex, in northern Mumbai. A packed house - a crowd of at least 10,000-15,000 - which included the film trade, advertisers, the corporate world, media and the general public went agog with excitement every time a star got on stage to perform. 

And there were perfomances aplenty by matinee stars Govinda, Anil Kapoor, Shilpa Shetty, Salman Khan, Juhi Chawla, Lucky Ali and the hearthrob of the nation, Hrithik Roshan. Anil Kapoor, Govinda, and Salman Khan stole people's hearts. As did Hrithik Roshan but one expected a lot more display of his dance talent when he performed on stage along with singer Lucky Ali.

Among those who presented the awards included: the breathtaking Rekha, Sushmita Sen, Akshay Khanna, Namrata Shirodkar, Shammi Kapoor, Alka Yagnik, Renuka Sahane, Sultan Ahmed, Baba Sehgal.

Overall, the show was a lot more controlled this year with everything proceeding like almost clockwork and the awards ending on schedule. Probably last year's chaotic organisation gave a lifetime of experience to the organisers of the awards.