3 Idiots is the clear favourite at India`s version of the Oscars

Rajkumar Hirani`s `3 Idiots` is the clear favourite at next month`s International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards with fourteen nominations, including best film, at India`s version of the Oscars.

Colombo plays host in June to the annual awards which are held in a different city each year -- a sign of Bollywood`s efforts to broaden its global appeal.

"3 Idiots", the highest-grossing film of 2009, wooed audiences with its endearing tale of three friends at an engineering college and earned Aamir Khan an IIFA nomination for leading actor.

Also in the running for awards in major categories are films like "Paa", an unusual father-son story revolving around progeria, frothy romance "Love Aaj Kal" and the caper "Kaminey".

Many of Indian cinema`s biggest names including Amitabh Bachchan are expected to attend the awards ceremony.