US actor Kevin Spacey performs with Bollywood stars Shahdid Kapoor and Deepika Padukone.

Agencies/Tampa Bay, Florida

The biopic of a sprinter who survived India’s partition but fell short in his most famous race swept Bollywood’s awards yesterday in a party that brought US stars to the dance floor.

Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, the story of Olympian Milkha Singh, took the prizes for best picture, best director and best actor at the International Indian Film Academy awards in a marathon gala at a packed stadium in Tampa, Florida, in the event’s first time in the US.

Director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra dedicated the prize to the now 84-year-old Singh, who took the stage and said: “This goes to the boys and girls of India, who deserve to win the gold.”

Singh was born in what is now Pakistan and watched as his family, including both of his parents, were killed in the communal bloodbath that engulfed partition in 1947.

He discovered running while in the army and was recruited to race for India at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome. Singh took on the nickname “the Flying Sikh” after a remark by Pakistan’s then leader Ayub Khan.

Singh had been a favourite in the 400m final but slipped behind after a promising start, ending fourth. Still, he is considered an athletic legend in India, which rarely performs well in international competitions other than cricket.

“He lost the most important race of his life, but he won in life,” director Mehra said.

Farhan Akhtar, one of the hosts of the awards ceremony, won best actor for the role.

An emotional Singh said: "I am thankful to IIFA for bringing me here and giving me respect. I have cried three-four times in my life. First, was when my parents were killed in front of my eyes, second, when I lost the gold medal at the Rome Olympics....

"Everyone thought I could win the medal but that went away. It was my bad luck. Before I die, I wish someone from India wins the gold medal. I want to see a gold medal and then go," he said.

"Third time I cried was when they made this film and I saw everything (my life's journey) on the screen. Whenever I see the film, I cry. When I was sitting here now, I was in tears seeing the love and recognition the film has got," he added.

Best leading actress went to Deepika Padukone, who was nominated for three films. She won for Chennai Express, an action film in which she stars opposite superstar Shah Rukh Khan who skipped the Tampa awards to concentrate on a movie shoot.

The International Indian Film Academy always holds its awards outside of India in a bid to show Bollywood’s international appeal.

The first US edition brought two leading names of Hollywood, John Travolta and Kevin Spacey, who delighted the crowd packed into the Tampa Bay Buccaneers football team’s 66,000-seat capacity stadium by trying their best at Indian dancing.

House of Cards star Spacey, who was wearing a tuxedo, donned an Indian lungi around his waist to cheers from the crowd. Travolta showed off his legendary Saturday Night Fever moves but also took the stage to dance Bollywood-style to the on-spot guidance of actress Priyanka Chopra.

Chopra saluted Travolta, saying, “No one else could have done that with no rehearsal.”

Travolta received an award for his outstanding contribution to international cinema.

The awards went on for more than five hours, ending past 3am (0700 GMT), and was not without technical glitches including video segments that were played at incorrect times.

But Bollywood’s performers revved up the audience with rousing dance numbers. Hrithik Roshan took inspiration from his award-nominated superhero character in Krrish 3 by appearing in a science-fiction costume of flashing neon.

The awards also tried to take on an American flavour with one dance featuring pom-pom-waving cheerleaders. Hosts Akhtar and Shahid Kapoor alluded to Tampa’s history by entering the show dressed as pirates and playfully wrestling a key to the city from Mayor Bob Buckhorn, himself in Indian formal attire.

Winners are…

Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, the story of celebrated sprinter Milkha Singh, was the big winner at the International Indian Film Academy awards.

Here is a list of some of the key winners:

Best picture: Bhaag Milkha Bhaag

Best director: Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra (Bhaag Milkha Bhaag)

Best leading actor: Farhan Akhtar (Bhaag Milkha Bhaag)

Best leading actress: Deepika Padukone (Chennai Express)

Best supporting actor: Aditya Roy Kapoor (Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani)

Best supporting actress: Divya Dutta (Bhaag Milkha Bhaag)

Best story: Prasoon Joshi (Bhaag Milkha Bhaag)

Best lyrics: Mithoon for song Tum Hi Ho (Aashiqui 2)

Best playback singer (male): Arjit Singh for song Tum Hi Ho (Aashiqui 2)

Best playback singer (female): Shreya Ghoshal for song Sunn Raha Hai (Aashiqui 2)