By: Simran Mody, India Correspondent

The fans have spoken and the stars are grateful.

With Bollywood-lovers submitting their votes through mobile phones and online polling, some of Hindi film’s biggest names were honored on December 29th at the Aaj Tak Movie Masala Awards 2009.

Among the biggest winners were Salman Khan, Harvard Business School attendee Katrina Kaif, and Bollywood breakthrough blockbuster 3 Idiots.

Playing an undercover cop penetrating the Mumbai mob underworld, Khan claimed Best Actor for his role in Wanted; he received 34 percent of the votes, topping other Bollywood leading men such as Aamir Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Ranbir Kapoor and Shahid Kapoor.

Claiming 39 percent of the poll in the Best Actress category was Katrina Kaif, awarded for her role in the Rajkumar Santoshi romantic comedy Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani; Kaif edged Kareena Kapoor, Rani Mukherji, Vidya Balan and Priyanka Chopra for the Best Actress honor.

Kaif was not present to accept her award, as she was reportedly out of the country.

Based upon fans’ overwhelming support, 3 Idiots – the just-released comedy/drama starring Aamir Khan, R. Madhavan, Sharman Joshi and Kapoor – was the most-heralded film of 2009.

The film’s director, Raj Kumar Hirani, earned 41 percent of the vote in the Best Director category, as his movie, about three friends coming of age during their college days, is currently leading the way at Bollywood-themed box offices around the world.

“We were not expecting such a huge response,” Hirani said in receiving the award. “Right now, we have reasons to be happy. I feel if you can touch people’s hearts, it’s a big thing.”

3 Idiots also was tops in the Best Film category, as the Vidhu Vinod Chopra production raked in 42 percent of the vote and beat out Wake Up Sid, Kaminey, Paa and Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani.

Released on Christmas Day, 3 Idiots has already grossed about $20 million, according to reports, and is expected by film analysts to break all Bollywood box-office revenue records.

“People called me an idiot so many times that I thought, ‘Let’s change the meaning of the word,’” Chopra announced after his film took top honors at the award show. “I don’t hear people calling me ‘idiot’ any more.”

In the music category, Pritham was voted Best Music Director, garnering 32 percent of the electorate for his work on Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani. Pritham, who edged out A. R. Rahman, Vishal Bhardwaj and Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, was also involved in several other soundtracks this year, including Love Aaj Kal, New York, De Dana Dan, All The Best, Tum Mile, Billu and Dil Bole Hadippa.

First-time actor Jackky Bhagnani was also a winner at the Aaj Tak Movie Masala Awards, claiming Best Debutant Award for his role in Kal Kissne Dekha.