MUMBAI: With two weeks to go for the Oscar Awards, Martin Scorcese's epic about an eccentric billionaire Howard Hughes-The Aviator has added another feather to its cap.

The film has won the best picture prize at the British Academy of Film and Television (Bafta) awards last night. In India the Bafta Awards will air on Star World on 19 February at 10 pm.

Ironically, Million Dollar Baby and Sideways were not nominated for best picture. At the Oscars these two films will give The Aviator a serious run for its money.

Cate Blanchett who plays acting legend Katherine Hepburn in The Aviator won a Bafta in the supporting actress category. The film also took awards for production design and make up and hair.

British director Mike Leigh was named best director for Vera Drake. The star of the film Imelda Staunton was also recognised.

Jamie Foxx continued his seemingly unstoppable march towards the Oscar podium by winning Best Actor for channeling Ray Charles in Ray. Clive Owen was named best supporting actor for the acerbic Closer. The awards were held in the classically wet Leicester Square, and the host for the fifth consecutive Baftas, Stephen Fry, welcomed Hollywood to `London's litter-strewn West End.