As Bangkok gets ready to play host to the 16th edition of the International Indian Film Academy Awards (Iifa) this weekend, an invasion by Bollywood stars is inevitable.
Dubbed as the Bollywood’s Oscars, the annual travelling awards show will celebrate the best in Hindi films and put together lavish song and dance spectacles.
The three-day celebration, which will culminate with the awards presentation on Sunday night at Siam Niramit in Thailand’s capital, will be punctuated by interactive sessions with Bollywood stars and some blazing green carpet fashion.
This year, all eyes will be on Vidya Balan’s family entertainer Tumhari Sulu, which leads the awards race with seven nominations.
Close at its heels is Rajkummar Rao’s celebrated naxalite drama, Newton.
But the Iifas aren’t just about the magic of movies. As Gulf News tabloid! gets ready to attend the event in Bangkok, we have put together a list of highlights of 2018. With our checklist in hand, there’s little standing between you and having a great time at the awards night…
THE ULTIMATE PERFORMERS
Rekha, the notoriously reclusive but immensely graceful actress, will perform to the biggest hits of her career on stage at this year’s Iifas after a gap of 20 years.
Who can forget her classy style in Aankhon Ki Masti from the blockbuster Umrao Jaan? She’s all about the eyes, less about the hips and incessant gyrations… Phew.
Plus, we couldn’t agree more with actor Varun Dhawan when he declared at a recent press conference in Mumbai to promote the Iifas that watching the legendary Rekha perform would be his personal highlight of the awards weekend. He even tried to find out details about her stage act, but Rekha — in her trademark style — kept a tight lid on the details.
“I have a second name — mystery. If I tell you now, then what’s the point?” said Rekha. Fair enough.
So, keep your eyes peeled to the Iifa stage on Sunday night. Rekha isn’t the sole attraction. Ranbir Kapoor, who has been nominated in the Best Actor category for his role in the fantasy adventure Jagga Jasoos, will also perform on stage.
“Iifa Bangkok holds a very special place in my heart … I won the best debutante award at Iifa 2008 in Bangkok. The 19th edition of Iifa Weekend is going to be a great one and I am eager to connect with my fans,” Kapoor told news agency IANS.
Another highlight is likely to be Shahid Kapoor’s dance performance. The actor, who began his career as a back-up dancer in Bollywood, is known for busting some serious moves.
THE HOSTS
Karan Johar, one of Bollywood’s most powerful producers and directors, returns to the Iifa stage as the host this year.
His wingman on stage is actor Riteish Deshmukh, who’s known for his witty and casual style of hosting.
But there’s a good chance that Johar is more careful with his jokes this year. Who can forget his skit Nepotism Rocks, directed at belittling Kangana Ranaut, last year that backfired spectacularly. The joke didn’t go well with the audience or Bollywood fans and Johar even expressed his regret and took full responsibility for the verbal debacle. He went too far, he said.
“Of course I don’t believe that ‘nepotism rocks’. Of course, I believe that only talent rocks… What we said was meant to be a joke, which I think has been misplaced, misunderstood and I think it went wrong. I regret it,” said Johar in an interview with NDTV last year. But he isn’t going to let that controversial episode ruin his gig this year.
“Iifa is much more than an award ceremony. It truly is entrenched in the DNA of our film fraternity. It goes beyond being just a ceremony of entertainment. It is an industry award. It is by the industry, for the industry and with the industry. It is a platform where talent is bestowed on in every department,” Johar said at a press conference in Mumbai.
THE STARS
What is a Bollywood awards ceremony without some heady star-spotting? Expect stars to be dressed in their best gowns and tuxedos on the green carpet.
If you are there in Bangkok this weekend, look out Ranbir Kapoor, Shahid Kapoor, Shraddha Kapoor, Kriti Sanon, Ayushmann Khurrana, Arjun Kapoor and Bobby Deol. During Iifas, the stars are known to let their guard down and are seen exploring the city without their usual entourage in Mumbai, where they fear being accosted by frenzied fans. We hear Khurrana is looking forward to exploring the nightclubs in Bangkok.
THE REBEL WITH A CAUSE
Dia Mirza, the UN Environment goodwill ambassador for India, takes one for nature this year. Iifa — who’s known for their green carpets to display their solidarity towards environment conservation — is not just about the glitz and glamour or celebrating the best in Indian cinema. Over the weekend, Mirza will make it her business to spread awareness about the burning issue of reducing the use of plastics with the Beat Plastic Pollution campaign. Gender equality is also on Iifa’s radar this year. While it won’t be anything close to the #MeToo movement that rocked Hollywood last awards season, it’s a small start for Bollywood.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT HONOUR
It’s going to a glorious night for Bollywood actor Anupam Kher, who will be honoured with the Iifa Lifetime Achievement Award this year. The actor, who has featured in more than 500 films, has thrived in Bollywood for the last three decades.
“My 34 years of work has helped me achieve great milestones and at a time when actors my age are offered the Lifetime Achievement Award, I prefer to ride on another 34 years exploring new and exciting opportunities in Indian and international Cinema. I am humbled and happy to be the recipient of this award instituted by Iifa,” said Kher in a statement.
FILMS-MEET-FASHION
The Iifa weekend is not just about the convergence of movie stars celebrating good cinema. It’s also about celebrating fashion, which is integral to Bollywood films. Designer Vikram Phadnis is one of the highlights of Iifa Rocks, the glamorous night which is a prelude to the awards presentation ceremony on Sunday.
“It will be a deep, dark all-black collection,” said Phadnis. Actress Dia Mirza is tipped to be the showstopper of his collection.
Don’t miss it!
tabloid! will be in Bangkok this weekend to cover the 16th edition of International Indian Film Academy Awards. Stay tuned to get the lowdown and all the action from one of Bollywood biggest award nights.
Where can I watch it: Iifa 2018 will air on Colors TV.
