The film, strongly fancied before the annual extravaganza, traces the rise of the Mughal emperor Akbar The Great, a Muslim, and his love affair with his Hindu wife, played in the film by Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.

'When I started this movie I was advised by all my friends not to make this film,' Gowariker explained at the International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA), being held this year in the southern Chinese territory of Macau.

But he said the film's massive popularity had 'reinstated my faith that we do need a Hindu-Muslim alliance' in India.

'Jodhaa Akbar' saw off 'Ghajini,' "Rock On,' "A Wednesday,' "Dostana,' and 'Race' to take the highly coveted Best Picture.

Roshan in turn urged his fans among the 8,000 gathered at the Venetian Macau-Resort Hotel to 'have the courage to live free and live the truth' as he collected his gong for Best Performance in a Lead Role (Male).

Another top award on the night went to former Miss World Priyanka Chopra, whose effort as a model dealing with the seedy side of the business in 'Fashion' won her Best Performance in a Lead Role (Female).

Chopra paid tribute to the fans who had flocked to Macau for the three-day IIFA event from all over the world - and who had sat through the nearly seven-hour award ceremony.

'We Indians are everywhere,' she said. 'The film industry is like one big family and the fans really feel a part of that.' 'Jodhaa Akbar' also collected a slew of technical awards, stealing the spotlight from the powerful Bachchan clan.

Family patriarch Amitabh Bachchan was feted by the event's hosts all night, while Rai picked up awards early in the night for Star of the Decade (female) and Outstanding Achievement by an Indian in International Cinema.

Rai's husband Abhishek then picked up a gong for Best Performance in a Comedy Role (Male) for his turn in 'Dostana", and the couple delighted the audiences with separate song and dance numbers. -- AFP