Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan starrer "Chak De! India", a sports film that plays themes of religion and class, won nine honours at the ninth IIFA awards here with Khan receiving the best actor award for his inspiring role as a hockey coach in the film.

Khan, who gave a miss to last night's star-studded ceremony here, virtually ruled the function with his home production "Om Shanti Om" winning five awards. Film producer Yash Chopra collected the awards on his behalf.

Chak De which was adjudged the best film of 2007, is about a Muslim captain who leaves the game after being wrongly accused of throwing a match against Pakistan in World Cup. He returns after seven years as coach of the Indian women's hockey team, leading them to a World Cup victory.

Similarly, the film's director Shimit Amin received the best director's award. Jaideep Sahani received the award for best story for the film.

The awards in the technical section won by the film were : cinematography, Sound recording and sound re-recording, editing.

Jaideep Sahani shared the screenplay award for the film with Anurag Basu (Life in a Metro).

Om Shanti Om, Khan's home production bagged awards for art direction, costumes, special effects and make up. Javed Akhtar also won the best lyricist award for the song 'Main Agar Kahoon'.

The awards ceremony was held at the Siam Niramit complex in the heart of Bangkok city.Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan starrer "Chak De! India", a sports film that plays themes of religion and class, won nine honours at the ninth IIFA awards here with Khan receiving the best actor award for his inspiring role as a hockey coach in the film.

Khan, who gave a miss to last night's star-studded ceremony here, virtually ruled the function with his home production "Om Shanti Om" winning five awards.

Ritesh Deshmukh and Boman Irani were the hosts of the awards ceremony