Romantic comedy "2 States" and Vishal Bhardwaj's Shakespearean adaptation "Haider" are leading at with nine and eight nominations at IIFA awards 2015 while superstars Aamir and Shah Rukh Khan are pitted against each other in the best actor category.
Rajkumar Hirani's inspiring "PK" earned six nominations and Kangana Ranaut's "Queen" received 5 nominations for the 16th edition of International Indian Film Academy (IIFA), which will take place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from June 5-7.
The best picture category is dominated by female-centric films like "Queen", "Highway" and Priyanka Chopra-fronted biopic "Mary Kom". "2 States" and "Haider" and "PK" will also compete in the category.
Aamir and SRK are nominated in the best actor category for their roles in "PK" and 'Happy New Year" respectively. They will face competition from Hrithik Roshan ('Bang Bang'), Shahid Kapoor ('Haider'), Arjun Kapoor ('2 States') and Randeep Hooda ('Highway').
"Queen" and "Mary Kom" stars Kangana and Priyanka will compete in the best actress category alongside Rani Mukerji ('Mardaani'), Deepika Padukone ('Happy New Year'), Alia Bhatt ('2 States') and Anushka Sharma ('PK').
The best director category has Vikas Bahl ('Queen'), Vishal Bhardwaj ('Haider'), Rajkumar Hirani ('PK'), Abhishek Varman ('2 States') and Imtiaz Ali ('Highway').
The best supporting actor list features Ronit Roy ('2 States'), Riteish Deshmukh ('Ek Villain'), Kay Kay Menon ('Haider'), Randeep Hooda ('Kick'), Inaamul Haq ('Filmistaan') and veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah for 'Finding Fanny'.
In the best supporting actress category Tabu is the strongest contender for her powerful role in 'Haider' as Shahid's mother. Other nominees include Amrita Singh in '2 States', Lisa Haydon in 'Queen', Juhi Chawla in 'Gulaab Gang' and Huma Qureshi in 'Dedh ishqiya'.
Govinda ('Happy Ending'), Sharib Hashmi ('Filmistaan'), Sanjay Dutt ('PK') and Varun Dhawan ('Main Tera Hero') are nominated in the best comic actor category.
