British film 'Slumdog Millionaire' has murder, maiming and childtorture, yet, filmed in the slums of Mumbai, with the 'Never say die!' spirit of its denizens, has achieved the incredible and continues to cheer cinema audiences around the world. Emerging as the biggest winner, Slumdog Millionaire's' hopes soar high, as the film based on 'Q & A', Indian diplomat-turned author Vikas Swarup's novel, won in seven categories out of its 11-nominations, bolstering its success at the Oscars, scheduled to be held in a fortnight.

And, in what turned out to be a night awash with British talent, Kate Winslet beating herself in 'Revolutionary Road', including Meryl Streep, Kristin Scott Thomas and Angelina Jolie, won her second Best Actress Bafta for 'The Reader', portraying an illiterate SS guard, who beds a 15-year-old boy. Comparatively composed in comparison to her breathlessly delivered Golden Globes speech, Winslet shared her award with film producers Sidney Pollack and Anthony Minghella, who died last year.

In a star-studded function at London's Royal Opera House, there were also wins for British films like 'Hunger', 'In Bruges', 'Man on Wire' and 'The Duchess', 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button' picked up only three awards out of its 11-nominations, though none in the main categories, and was Hollywood's only biggest success story this year.

The Best Supporting Actor Bafta was posthumously awarded to Heath Ledger, for his terrifying portrayal as the Joker in Batman film 'The Dark Knight', just over a year after his death at age 28.

Beating strong competition from Frank Langella, Sean Penn, Brad Pitt and British newcomer Dev Patel, Mickey Rourke won Best Actor for 'The Wrestler', in the biggest acting surprise of last year.

The Best Supporting Actress award went to Penélope Cruz for her role in Woody Allen's 'Vicky Cristina Barcelona', but 'Slumdog Millionaire', made for a paltry £10-million, remained the talk of the evening, receiving the Best Film award from rocker Mick Jagger.

A rags-to-riches love story, a moral tale, 'Slumdog Millionair' put smiles on the faces of film goers, as they watched a Mumbai teaboy win on 'Who Wants To Be a Millionaire' remarkably, answering questions relating to events in his life. Danny Boyle's second Bafta,
15-years after winning for 'Shallow Grave', the film won Best film, Best Director, Original Screenplay, Cinematography, Editing & Sound awards, with music maestro Allah Rakha Rahman scooping the BAFTA award in the Best Music Score category and dedicating the award to the people of Mumbai, he said: 'It is in response to a billion prayers.' Simon Beaufoy, who wrote the screenplay for 'Slumdog Millionair', thanked Indian diplomat Vikas Swarup for his novel 'Q and A', on which the film was based, and for which Beaufoy was awarded the prize for Best Adapted Screenplay,

Frost/Nixon and Gus Van Sant's Harvey Milk bio-pic 'Milk', came away empty handed, while in the animated film category Wall-E beating out stiff competition from 'Waltz with Bashir' and 'Persepolis' won the prize.

'Doctor Who' actor Noel Clarke won the Rising Star award, a year after his film, 'Adulthood', performed well at the British box office.