DiCaprio, Elba clinch top honours at 'diverse' SAG Awards

Actors Leonardo DiCaprio and Idris Elba won the big honours at the 22nd Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards, which focussed on diversity amongst winners, especially in the wake of the Oscars controversy.

Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra was among the presenters at the awards gala.

The annual awards show took place at the Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall here on Saturday night, reports hollywoodreporter.com.

Elba, who failed to earn a nomination at the upcoming 88th Academy Awards, clinched the trophies for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role for his role in "Beasts of No Nation" and Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries for his performance in "Luther".

While introducing a clip from "Beasts of No Nation", Elba took a dig at the lack of diversity in this year's Oscars' nominations.

"Ladies and gentleman, welcome to diverse TV," Elba said.

DiCaprio, whose 2015 film "The Revenant" is up for 12 nominations (maximum this year) at the Oscars, including the nomination for Academy Award in the Best Actor in a Leading Role for him, won the Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role award for his role in the Alejandro G. Inarritu directorial.

The Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role award was taken by Brie Larson for her role of a fiercely protective mother in "Room".

While the stars of biographical drama film "Spotlight" took the honour for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture, the cast of "Downton Abbey" won the award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series.

The Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series trophy was given to the cast of "Orange Is the New Black". While taking the award, actress Laura Prepon also put light on the "#OscarsSoWhite" controversy.

Meanwhile, Priyanka, who flaunted a pink off-shoulder gown at the awards, presented the trophy for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series to Kevin Spacey for "House of Cards".

"How to Get Away With Murder" actress Viola Davis took home the award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series.

Among other winners were Uzo Aduba, who won the Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series award for "Orange Is the New Black"; Jeffrey Tambor, who clinched the trophy for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series for "Transparent"; and "The Danish Girl" actress Alicia Vikander, who was honoured with the Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role.

Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron-starrer "Mad Max: Fury Road", which is nominated in 10 categories (second highest) at this year's Oscars, won the award for Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture.

Fantasy drama series "Game of Thrones", which is all set for the premiere of its sixth season later this year, was given the award for Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Comedy or Drama Series.

The biggest highlight of SAG Awards was the focus it put on diversity while picking up winners.

Nominations for the SAG Awards, which cover both film and TV, were announced in December, ahead of the Oscars' January 14 nominations announcement, which provoked protest when all the Oscar acting nominationss went to white performers.

The 88th Academy Awards will take place on February 28 here.