At the 2016 International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards, which Hindi film was honoured with the Best Film Award for the 2015 Bollywood release year?

Introduction / Context:
The International Indian Film Academy Awards, commonly known as the IIFA Awards, celebrate excellence in Hindi cinema on a global stage. The 2016 IIFA Awards recognised films released in 2015, and the Best Film category is usually one of the most discussed honours. Knowing which movie won Best Film is important for students preparing for general knowledge exams that include Indian cinema and major award functions.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question concerns the 2016 IIFA Awards ceremony.
• The category is specifically the Best Film Award.
• The options list four highly acclaimed Hindi films released around 2015.
• We assume the question refers to the main IIFA Best Film Award and not critics or technical awards.

Concept / Approach:
The approach here is to recall which film won Best Film at IIFA 2016, while understanding that several of these movies won multiple awards across different ceremonies. Bajirao Mastani collected many acting and technical awards, Piku was praised for its story and performances, and Tanu Weds Manu Returns was also heavily awarded. However, Bajrangi Bhaijaan, a film directed by Kabir Khan and starring Salman Khan, was honoured with the IIFA Best Film Award for 2016. By focusing on the specific IIFA category and year, we can separate Best Film from categories like Best Director or Best Actor that went to other movies.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify that the award in question is the Best Film Award at IIFA 2016, corresponding to 2015 releases. Step 2: Recall that Bajrangi Bhaijaan, a film about an Indian man helping a lost Pakistani girl return home, gained immense popularity and critical acclaim. Step 3: Note that Bajirao Mastani dominated many technical and performance categories but did not win the Best Film title at IIFA. Step 4: Recognise that Piku and Tanu Weds Manu Returns were also celebrated but did not secure the Best Film trophy at this particular ceremony. Step 5: Conclude that Bajrangi Bhaijaan is the film that actually won the IIFA Best Film Award in 2016.

Verification / Alternative check:
Verification can be done by checking the official IIFA winners list for 2016 or by consulting reputable news articles published immediately after the event. These sources clearly list Bajrangi Bhaijaan as the Best Film, while highlighting that Bajirao Mastani earned awards in categories such as Best Director and Best Actor. Cross referencing at least two independent sources is a good practice when preparing for competitive exams, because it reinforces memory and reduces the chance of error.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Bajirao Mastani: This film did win several IIFA awards, including Best Director and acting honours, but the Best Film award went to another movie, so selecting it would be inaccurate.
Piku: This film was appreciated for its unique story and strong performances and won awards like Best Actress, yet it did not receive the IIFA 2016 Best Film title.
Tanu Weds Manu Returns: Although hugely popular and recognised in multiple award functions, it did not win the IIFA Best Film Award in 2016, so it cannot be the correct choice here.

Common Pitfalls:
A common source of confusion arises because Bajirao Mastani swept many categories at IIFA 2016, leading students to assume it also won Best Film. Another pitfall is mixing up different award ceremonies such as Filmfare, National Film Awards, and IIFA, where the same films sometimes win in different categories. To avoid mistakes, always link the correct event name, year, and exact category before choosing an answer about film awards.

Final Answer:
At the 2016 IIFA Awards, the Best Film Award was given to Bajrangi Bhaijaan for its powerful story and emotional impact.