Since the recent announcement of where the International Indian Filmfare Academy Awards (IIFA) will be held, Bollywood and fans alike are eagerly anticipating the grand occasion. Shalandra Bunseelall reports
It’s almost time for glitz and glamour as the International Indian Filmfare Academy Awards have confirmed their destination to showcase Indian cinema on a glittering global platform.
Ending the guessing game, the IIFA movement announced the destination for the weekend of celebration that is traditionally packed with dazzling fashion shows, parties, film festivals, celebrity events, movie previews and the biggest stars that culminates with the main ceremony.
Having travelled to some phenomenal destinations across the globe over the past 15 years, IIFA has graced the shores of the US, the UK, Europe, the Middle East, south east Asia, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Canada.
IIFA will now return to the culturally diverse country of Malaysia after 13 years where fans from around the world can expect to see their favourite stars descend on Kuala Lumpur during the weekend to witness Indian cinema’s most celebrated event unfold in their city from June 5 to 7.
Other hot contenders for this year included Bangkok and Spain. IIFA regulars who showed their mark of support for their annual working “holiday” by casting their votes at the grand launch included Ayushmann Khurana, Arjun Kapoor, Vivek Oberoi, Kriti Sanon, Rajkumar Hirani and longstanding IIFA friends, Dia Mirza and Anil Kapoor.
Anil Kapoor said: “I’m honoured to be given the opportunity to cast the first vote and show my support for the institution that is the IIFA weekend and awards. I’ve been a friend of IIFA for many years and will always continue to support what I believe is the biggest congregation of the film industry and one that is awaited by the entire fraternity year on year.”
Commenting on the launch, Andre Timmins, Director – Wizcraft International Entertainment Pvt Ltd said: “We are very happy to announce that IIFA will be travelling to Malaysia this year. We had a great weekend in Malaysia 13 years ago when we went to the Genting Highlands and the country has welcomed us back. With its rich and diverse culture and the sheer beauty of the city of Kuala Lumpur, we’re absolutely certain this year’s IIFA celebration will be a sight to behold”.
Interestingly, there are hot rumours that, schedule permitting, Tamil superstars like Kamal Hassan, Vijay and Raijnikanth could be among the highlights of the glitzy celebration.
Last year, IIFA created mass hysteria as it successfully swept through Tampa Bay while attracting Hollywood heavyweights like John Travolta and Kevin Spacey to shake a leg with the Bollywood superstar brigade.
As an IIFA regular, who for more than a decade has been bowled over by the magical celebrations, it is rather sad that South Africa has yet again failed to lure the entertainment spectacular.
• Movie critic and TV presenter Shalandra Bunseelall is also the executive producer on Africa News Network (ANN7, channel 405 DStv) for the Indian Lifestyle show East’nStyle (Saturday, Sunday at 2.30pm) and for Sizzle (Saturday, Sunday at 4.30pm), that focuses on the magic of the movies. He is the founder of Desi Life (www.desilife.co.za) which focuses on Indian lifestyle and entertainment in South Africa.