IIFA Utsavam 2024: Five South Indian cinema stars unveiled for Abu Dhabi showcase

Tickets are on sale to meet Rakul Preet Singh and Rana Daggubati among others during the two-day event at Etihad Arena

Actress Rakul Preet Singh performs at IIFA Awards 2023. Photo: IIFA

South India’s biggest cinema stars will descend on Abu Dhabi for a two-day awards and showcase event.

In partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism in Abu Dhabi and Miral, the IIFA Utsavam 2024 will take place on September 6 to 7 at Yas Island’s Etihad Arena.

The event promises a multi-faceted South Indian line-up, featuring renowned stars and exciting performances. The two-day occasion will be feature stars including Rana Daggubati, Vijay Raghavendra and Akul Balaji, who will all bring some of their most popular song and dance routines to the stage for fans and industry luminaries in attendance.

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan was the final performer of the night, dancing to many of his hits from over the decades. All photos: IIFA

Salman Khan on stage

Hrithik Roshan with his Best Actor in a Leading Role (Male) award for Vikram Vedha

Hrithik Roshan dances on stage with host Vicky Kaushal

Hrithik Roshan and Vicky Kaushal dance next to Abhishek Bachchan

Nora Fatehi's cabaret act included a medley of songs such as Piya Tu Ab To Aaja, Aaj Ki Raat and Aao Na

Nora Fatehi on stage

Jacqueline Fernandez took made an impressive entrance with the song Paani Paani. She continued with the thumping beats of Show Me the Thumka

Kamal Haasan being honoured with the Outstanding Achievement in Indian Cinema award by A R Rahman

Rakul Preet Singh paid tribute to old Bollywood, and performed classic hits including Aaiye Meherbaan, Babuji Dheere Chalna and Ajeeb Dastan

Rakul Preet Singh on stage

Kriti Sanon began her performance with the song Apna Bana Le from the film Bhediya

Kriti Sanon was joined by viral Norwegian dance crew Quick Style

Kriti Sanon on stage

The cast of Netflix reality show Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives - Maheep Kapoor, Bhavna Pandey, Seema Kiran Sajdeh and Neelam Kothari

Varun Dhawan was the first performer of the night

Varun Dhawan made his entrance from the back of Etihad Arena and danced down the aisle to the tune of Naach Punjaban

Varun Dhawan performs

Varun Dhawan on stage

Performers take part in the gala's Opening Act

The performance combined Indian and Emirati cultures

The opening performance took the audience on a cultural journey across the Emirates

Dancers perform for Opening Act

The event began with a performance called Opening Act

Hosts Abhishek Bachchan and Vicky Kaushal dance on stage

Abhishek Bachchan and Vicky Kaushal hosted the Bollywood event this year

Vicky Kaushal and Abhishek Bachchan made their entrance together with a little dance routine, reciting couplets featuring names of films nominated this year

Hosts Abhishek Bachchan and Vicky Kaushal on stage

Anil Kapoor on stage

Actor Anil Kapoor began the show by saying: 'When we came to Abu Dhabi last year, we were bestowed with love and this love has pulled us back to entertain you'

Sharing his excitement, Daggubati said: "My journey with IIFA goes way back, and IIFA Utsavam is indeed a true celebration of South Indian cinema.”

“I'm thrilled to be a part of it and feel immensely privileged to host the IIFA Utsavam Telugu Cinema Awards. Come join us and be a part of this grand celebration at Yas Island, Abu Dhabi."

Daggubati has appeared in some of South India’s biggest film productions, starring in both Baahubali films, directed by S S Rajamouli, who made global headlines last year for directing the historical action epic RRR.

Akul Balaji on the other hand is a star on South Indian television, appearing in more than 800 episodes of the hit series Oohalu Gusagusalade.

The event will also feature electrifying performances by composer, singer and lyricist Devi Sri Prasad, known more popularly as DSP, and actresses Rakul Preet Singh and Sreeleela. Singh spoke of her participation, saying: "It feels fantastic to be a part of the grand celebration of South Indian cinema that IIFA Utsavam is poised to embark on this September on a global scale at Yas Island, Abu Dhabi."

DSP added: "I eagerly anticipate the impressive two-day extravaganza of IIFA Utsavam at Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, which will showcase the cinematic achievements of South Indian cinema on a global stage, further solidifying its presence and impact in the entertainment industry."

Tickets for the event are now available for purchase, ranging from Bronze tickets costing Dh150 to Royal tickets that are Dh15,000.

Abu Dhabi has become a key cog in the Indian film industry overall, with the recent Bollywood film Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, which opened last week, filming some of its key action sequences in the UAE's capital.

“First of all, the people of Abu Dhabi are very friendly, but more importantly, they understand what filmmaking is,” star Akshay Kumar told The National. “Filming in Abu Dhabi, they gave us everything we could possibly need to shoot our pre-climax and climax.”