Bollywood stars Vickey Kaushal and Abhishek Bachchan will take on hosting duties when IIFA returns to Abu Dhabi this year. Photo: IIFA
Bollywood stars Vickey Kaushal and Abhishek Bachchan will take on hosting duties when IIFA returns to Abu Dhabi this year. Photo: IIFA
Bollywood stars Vickey Kaushal and Abhishek Bachchan will take on hosting duties when IIFA returns to Abu Dhabi this year. Photo: IIFA
Bollywood stars Vickey Kaushal and Abhishek Bachchan will take on hosting duties when IIFA returns to Abu Dhabi this year. Photo: IIFA

Culture

Film & TV

Vicky Kaushal and Abhishek Bachchan to host IIFA Awards 2023 in Abu Dhabi

Bachchan, who was to host the event with actors Farhan Akhtar and Maniesh Paul before it was postponed, said he was ecstatic

David Tusing

February 21, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

Bollywood stars Vicky Kaushal and Abhishek Bachchan will host the International Indian Film Academy Awards when it returns to Abu Dhabi's Etihad Arena.

The two-day event celebrating Bollywood is scheduled to be held on May 26 and 27 at the Yas Island venue.

The event will kick off with IIFA Rocks, a night dedicated to music and fashion, with the main awards gala held on the second night.

Bachchan, who was to host the gala night with actors Farhan Akhtar and Maniesh Paul before the event was postponed from February to May, said he was "ecstatic".

"IIFA is like family to me and it gives me immense pleasure to celebrate the extraordinary range that Indian cinema has to offer," he said.

Kaushal, who won the IIFA's Best Actor award for his role in the historical film Sardar Udham last year, said he can't wait to be "back to take centre stage".

"My journey with IIFA goes back seven years to my first film Masaan when I won the Best Debut Award, followed by Best Supporting Actor for Sanju and Best Actor for Sardar Udham last year," he said.

Scroll through the gallery below for more pictures from the IIFA Awards 2022 in Abu Dhabi

  • Actors Maniesh Paul, Riteish Deshmukh and Salman Khan hosted the 22nd IIFA Awards at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. All photos: IIFA2022
    Actors Maniesh Paul, Riteish Deshmukh and Salman Khan hosted the 22nd IIFA Awards at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. All photos: IIFA2022
  • Salman Khan arrived to the venue on a motorbike.
    Salman Khan arrived to the venue on a motorbike.
  • Actor Tiger Shroff was one of the first performers of the night.
    Actor Tiger Shroff was one of the first performers of the night.
  • Tiger Shroff is known for his high-energy dance moves.
    Tiger Shroff is known for his high-energy dance moves.
  • Shroff performed a mix of his hits, including 'Whistle Baja', 'Zindagi Aa Raha Hoon Main', 'Dus Bahane' and 'Jai Jai Shivshankar'.
    Shroff performed a mix of his hits, including 'Whistle Baja', 'Zindagi Aa Raha Hoon Main', 'Dus Bahane' and 'Jai Jai Shivshankar'.
  • Singer Jubin Natiyal won the Best Playback Singer (Male) for the song 'Raataan Lambiyan' from the film 'Shershaah'.
    Singer Jubin Natiyal won the Best Playback Singer (Male) for the song 'Raataan Lambiyan' from the film 'Shershaah'.
  • Asees Kaur also won Best Playback Singer (Female) for 'Raataan Lambiyan' from the film 'Shershaah'.
    Asees Kaur also won Best Playback Singer (Female) for 'Raataan Lambiyan' from the film 'Shershaah'.
  • Ahan Shetty won the Best Debut (Male) for his role in 'Tadap'.
    Ahan Shetty won the Best Debut (Male) for his role in 'Tadap'.
  • Actor Suniel Shetty handed the Best Debut (Male) award to his son Ahan Shetty.
    Actor Suniel Shetty handed the Best Debut (Male) award to his son Ahan Shetty.
  • Actress Divya Khosla Kumar performs.
    Actress Divya Khosla Kumar performs.
  • Rapper Yo Yo Singh and Guru Randhawa debuted their song 'Designer' at the IIFA Awards.
    Rapper Yo Yo Singh and Guru Randhawa debuted their song 'Designer' at the IIFA Awards.
  • The musicians were joined by Divya Khosla Kumar for a performance.
    The musicians were joined by Divya Khosla Kumar for a performance.
  • Punjabi pop star Guru Randhawa performs.
    Punjabi pop star Guru Randhawa performs.
  • Rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh on stage.
    Rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh on stage.
  • Actor Abhishek Bachchan appears on stage.
    Actor Abhishek Bachchan appears on stage.
  • Nora Fatehi on stage at the IIFA Awards 2022 in Abu Dhabi.
    Nora Fatehi on stage at the IIFA Awards 2022 in Abu Dhabi.
  • Nora Fatehi shared the stage with a young dancer, Kashni from Abu Dhabi, who she found via an Instagram scout.
    Nora Fatehi shared the stage with a young dancer, Kashni from Abu Dhabi, who she found via an Instagram scout.
  • Fatehi also debuted her new song 'Dirty Little Secrets' in Abu Dhabi.
    Fatehi also debuted her new song 'Dirty Little Secrets' in Abu Dhabi.
  • Filmmaker Vishnuvardhan's film 'Shershaah' won both Best Director and Best Picture.
    Filmmaker Vishnuvardhan's film 'Shershaah' won both Best Director and Best Picture.
  • Anurag Basu won Best Original Story for 'Ludo'.
    Anurag Basu won Best Original Story for 'Ludo'.
  • Sai Tamhankar with her award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the film 'Mimi'.
    Sai Tamhankar with her award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the film 'Mimi'.
  • Pankaj Tripathi won Best Supporting Actor for his role in 'Ludo'.
    Pankaj Tripathi won Best Supporting Actor for his role in 'Ludo'.
  • Kriti Sanon received the Best Actress for her role in the film 'Mimi'.
    Kriti Sanon received the Best Actress for her role in the film 'Mimi'.
  • Vicky Kaushal with his Best Actor for his role in 'Sardar Udham'.
    Vicky Kaushal with his Best Actor for his role in 'Sardar Udham'.
  • Abhishek Bachchan began his performance with the song 'Indiawale'.
    Abhishek Bachchan began his performance with the song 'Indiawale'.
  • Abhishek Bachchan performs. His was one of the most well-received performances of the night.
    Abhishek Bachchan performs. His was one of the most well-received performances of the night.
  • Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Aaradhya dancing as they watch Abhishek Bachchan perform.
    Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Aaradhya dancing as they watch Abhishek Bachchan perform.
  • Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and daughter Aaradhya enjoy Abhishek's performance on the front row.
    Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and daughter Aaradhya enjoy Abhishek's performance on the front row.
  • Ananya Panday performs.
    Ananya Panday performs.
  • Actress Sara Ali Khan performs.
    Actress Sara Ali Khan performs.
  • Abhishek Bachchan performs.
    Abhishek Bachchan performs.
  • Ananya Panday's first ever live performance didn't seem like one. She aced it like a seasoned performer.
    Ananya Panday's first ever live performance didn't seem like one. She aced it like a seasoned performer.
  • Sara Ali Khan delivered a high-energy set on stage.
    Sara Ali Khan delivered a high-energy set on stage.
  • For his performance, Shahid Kapoor made his entrance with the song 'Yaad Aa Raha Hai' via a small platform above the audience.
    For his performance, Shahid Kapoor made his entrance with the song 'Yaad Aa Raha Hai' via a small platform above the audience.
  • Kapoor's performance was a tribute to Bollywood singer and composer Bappi Lahiri, who died in February.
    Kapoor's performance was a tribute to Bollywood singer and composer Bappi Lahiri, who died in February.
  • Kapoor also pulled actress Ananya Panday from the audience.
    Kapoor also pulled actress Ananya Panday from the audience.
  • Lahiri was known for introducing Bollywood to disco and electronic music. For Kapoor's performance, the Etihad Arena was converted into a disco hall.
    Lahiri was known for introducing Bollywood to disco and electronic music. For Kapoor's performance, the Etihad Arena was converted into a disco hall.
  • Kapoor was also joined by Nora Fatehi for a song.
    Kapoor was also joined by Nora Fatehi for a song.
  • Kapoor's tribute to Lahiri was the final performance of the night.
    Kapoor's tribute to Lahiri was the final performance of the night.

The IIFA Awards are usually held in a different city every year, but is returning to Abu Dhabi for the second year in a row.

Stars confirmed to perform this year include Salman Khan, Varun Dhawan, Karan Johar and Kriti Sanon.

First held in London in 2000, the IIFA Awards were conceptualised by Mumbai event company Wizcraft International Entertainment and have been instrumental in boosting Bollywood's global popularity.

Cities that have previously hosted the awards include Dubai, Bangkok, New York, Colombo, Amsterdam, Madrid, Florida, Kuala Lumpur and Macau.

Last year's event marked the first time it was held in Abu Dhabi, on June 3 to 4, after being postponed from its original May date following the death of Sheikh Khalifa.

More than 20,000 fans attended the event across two days, IIFA said.

The prestigious event was set to return to Etihad Arena this month, but was postponed until May. No details on the reasons for the postponement were given. However, Etihad Arena’s Instagram account posted information for those who have already purchased their tickets.

“All customers with existing tickets will receive revised tickets for the new dates automatically. Existing ticket holders can also request a refund by emailing their request to the respective ticketing platform, from which the purchase was made within 10 working days," the post read.

“All refunds will then be processed accordingly. Tickets will continue to be on sale for the new dates with immediate effect at etihadarena.ae.”

Scroll through the gallery below for all the green carpet looks at last year's IIFA Awards in Abu Dhabi

  • Actors Abhishek Bachchan and his wife, Aishwarya Rai, join some of the biggest Bollywood stars on the green carpet at the IIFA Awards on Saturday at the Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Actors Abhishek Bachchan and his wife, Aishwarya Rai, join some of the biggest Bollywood stars on the green carpet at the IIFA Awards on Saturday at the Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Actress Ananya Panday.
    Actress Ananya Panday.
  • Actor Vicky Kaushal.
    Actor Vicky Kaushal.
  • Actress Sara Ali Khan.
    Actress Sara Ali Khan.
  • Nargis Fakhri.
    Nargis Fakhri.
  • Actress Urvashi Rautela.
    Actress Urvashi Rautela.
  • Actor Pankaj Tripathi.
    Actor Pankaj Tripathi.
  • Actress Sai Tamhankar.
    Actress Sai Tamhankar.
  • Actor Bobby Deol.
    Actor Bobby Deol.
  • Actor Aparshakti Khurana, host of the IIFA Rocks night on Friday.
    Actor Aparshakti Khurana, host of the IIFA Rocks night on Friday.
  • Actress Gauahar Khan and her husband, Zaid Darbar.
    Actress Gauahar Khan and her husband, Zaid Darbar.
  • Singer Dhvani Bhanushali, who performed as part of IIFA Rocks on Friday.
    Singer Dhvani Bhanushali, who performed as part of IIFA Rocks on Friday.
  • Actors Mugdha Godse and Rahul Dev.
    Actors Mugdha Godse and Rahul Dev.
  • Actor and director Anurag Basu.
    Actor and director Anurag Basu.
  • Actress Rakhi Sawant.
    Actress Rakhi Sawant.
  • Actress and former Miss Universe Lara Dutta Bhupathi.
    Actress and former Miss Universe Lara Dutta Bhupathi.
  • Actress Kriti Sanon.
    Actress Kriti Sanon.
  • Internet sensation Abdu Rozik.
    Internet sensation Abdu Rozik.
  • Actor Suniel Shetty arrives with his wife, Mana.
    Actor Suniel Shetty arrives with his wife, Mana.
  • Bollywood producer Boney Kapoor.
    Bollywood producer Boney Kapoor.
  • Genelia Deshmukh with a guest. Genelia's husband Riteish Deshmukh is one of the hosts of the IIFA Awards 2022.
    Genelia Deshmukh with a guest. Genelia's husband Riteish Deshmukh is one of the hosts of the IIFA Awards 2022.
  • Sara Ali Khan arrives was one of the performers of the night.
    Sara Ali Khan arrives was one of the performers of the night.
  • Actress Mamta Mohandas.
    Actress Mamta Mohandas.
  • Model and actress Erica Fernandes.
    Model and actress Erica Fernandes.
  • Actor Arshad Warsi.
    Actor Arshad Warsi.
  • Actor Ahan Shetty.
    Actor Ahan Shetty.
  • Actress Tamannaah Bhatia.
    Actress Tamannaah Bhatia.
  • Actress Priyamani with her husband, Mustafa Raj.
    Actress Priyamani with her husband, Mustafa Raj.
  • Actress Sharvari.
    Actress Sharvari.
  • Actor Suniel Shetty greets fans.
    Actor Suniel Shetty greets fans.
  • Actress Amruta Khanvilkar.
    Actress Amruta Khanvilkar.
  • Actor Aparshakti Khurana.
    Actor Aparshakti Khurana.
  • Singer Zahrah S Khan.
    Singer Zahrah S Khan.
  • Singer Romeo.
    Singer Romeo.
  • Actor Shahid Kapoor.
    Actor Shahid Kapoor.
  • 'Idol' series creator Simon Fuller.
    'Idol' series creator Simon Fuller.
  • Producer Bhushan Kumar.
    Producer Bhushan Kumar.
Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill

Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.

Company name: Farmin

Date started: March 2019

Founder: Dr Ali Al Hammadi 

Based: Abu Dhabi

Sector: AgriTech

Initial investment: None to date

Partners/Incubators: UAE Space Agency/Krypto Labs 

EPL's youngest
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Name: Peter Dicce

Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics

Favourite sport: soccer

Favourite team: Bayern Munich

Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer

Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates 

 

TO A LAND UNKNOWN

Director: Mahdi Fleifel

Starring: Mahmoud Bakri, Aram Sabbah, Mohammad Alsurafa

Rating: 4.5/5

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Source: VCOe 

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Tottenham Hotspur 1 Arsenal 1

Bournemouth 0 Manchester City 1

Brighton & Hove Albion 1 Huddersfield Town 0

Burnley 1 Crystal Palace 3

Manchester United 3 Southampton 2

Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 Cardiff City 0

West Ham United 2 Newcastle United 0

Sunday

Watford 2 Leicester City 1

Fulham 1 Chelsea 2

Everton 0 Liverpool 0

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Wanderers

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October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE

Transgender report
if you go

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The closest international airport to the TMB trail is Geneva (just over an hour’s drive from the French ski town of Chamonix where most people start and end the walk). Direct flights from the UAE to Geneva are available with Etihad and Emirates from about Dh2,790 including taxes.

The trek
The Tour du Mont Blanc takes about 10 to 14 days to complete if walked in its entirety, but by using the services of a tour operator such as Raw Travel, a shorter “highlights” version allows you to complete the best of the route in a week, from Dh6,750 per person. The trails are blocked by snow from about late October to early May. Most people walk in July and August, but be warned that trails are often uncomfortably busy at this time and it can be very hot. The prime months are June and September.

 

 

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Longlisted novels: 111

Total number of novels submitted: 1,780

Novels translated internationally: 66

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  • Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
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Hunting park to luxury living
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Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.

The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.

These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.

“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.

“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.

“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.

“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”

Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.

There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.

“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.

“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.

“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”

Skewed figures

In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458. 

The candidates

Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive

Ali Azeem, business leader

Tony Booth, professor of education

Lord Browne, former BP chief executive

Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist

Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist

Dr Mark Mann, scientist

Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner

Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister

Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster

 

Suggested picnic spots

Abu Dhabi
Umm Al Emarat Park
Yas Gateway Park
Delma Park
Al Bateen beach
Saadiyaat beach
The Corniche
Zayed Sports City
 
Dubai
Kite Beach
Zabeel Park
Al Nahda Pond Park
Mushrif Park
Safa Park
Al Mamzar Beach Park
Al Qudrah Lakes 

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Volvo ES90 Specs

Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)

Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp

Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm

On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region

Price: Exact regional pricing TBA

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While you're here
UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

PROFILE OF HALAN

Started: November 2017

Founders: Mounir Nakhla, Ahmed Mohsen and Mohamed Aboulnaga

Based: Cairo, Egypt

Sector: transport and logistics

Size: 150 employees

Investment: approximately $8 million

Investors include: Singapore’s Battery Road Digital Holdings, Egypt’s Algebra Ventures, Uber co-founder and former CTO Oscar Salazar

Updated: February 21, 2023, 2:15 PM
BollywoodAbu Dhabi