Nikhil Advani's debut film Kal Ho Na Ho has emerged as the main winner at India's Oscar equivalent, the 49th Filmfare awards.

The film, which was screened in the International Forum of New Cinema section at this month's Berlin Film Festival, won eight awards including best actress for Preity Zinta, best supporting actor for Saif Ali Khan and best supporting actress for Jaya Bachchan.

The film won the best music direction award for Shankar-Ehsan-Loy and the best lyrics award for writer-lyricist Javed Akhtar.

Kal Ho Na Ho tells the story of a young woman living in the Indian neighbourhood of Queens, New York whose life has been hit by tragedy. When a newcomer - played by Shah Rukh Khan - enters her life, love and complications follow.

The other key winner of the evening was Koi Mil Gaya which won five other prizes including best film, best director for Rakesh Roshan and best actor for Hrithik Roshan.

Veteran film-maker BR Chopra received Lifetime Achievement awards.

The awards evening was held at the Bandra Kurla Complex in Mumbai.

The Filmfare Awards were launched in 1953 to honour Hindi film industry's best talents.

Full list of prize winners:

Best Actor: Hrithik Roshan for Koi Mil Gaya
Best Actress: Preity Zinta for Kal Ho Na Ho
Best Film: Koi Mil Gaya
Best Director: Rakesh Roshan for Koi Mil Gaya
Best Supporting Actor: Saif Ali Khan for Kal Ho Na Ho
Best Supporting Actress: Jaya Bachchan for Kal Ho Na Ho
Lifetime Achievement Award: B R Chopra
Filmfare Power Award: Amitabh Bachchan & Shah Rukh Khan
Best Singer (Female): Shreya Ghoshal for Jadu Hai Nasha Hai in Jism
Best Singer (Male): Sonu Nigam for Kal Ho Na Ho in Kal Ho Na Ho
Best Music Directors: Shankar, Ehsan, Loy for Kal Ho Na Ho
Best Lyrics: Javed Akhtar for Kal Ho Na Ho