Anil Kapoor with his Best Supporting Actor (Male) award for his role in Jugjugg Jeeyo. Photo: IIFA
Anil Kapoor with his Best Supporting Actor (Male) award for his role in Jugjugg Jeeyo. Photo: IIFA
Anil Kapoor with his Best Supporting Actor (Male) award for his role in Jugjugg Jeeyo. Photo: IIFA
Anil Kapoor with his Best Supporting Actor (Male) award for his role in Jugjugg Jeeyo. Photo: IIFA

All the winners at the IIFA Awards 2023 in Abu Dhabi


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Bollywood fantasy film Brahmastra: Part One - Shiva and gritty biopic Gangubai Kathiawadi were the big winners at this year's International Indian Film Academy Awards.

Held across two days, on Friday and Saturday, at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, Bollywood's biggest and brightest stars paid tribute to their colleagues and celebrated with some colourful performances.

The IIFA Awards are an annual celebration of all things Bollywood. Abu Dhabi was hosting the event for the second year in a row.

On Friday at IIFA Rocks, a night dedicated to music and fashion, Sanjay Leela Bhansali's period biopic Gangubai Kathiawadi was the big winner in the technical categories, clinching trophies for cinematography, screenplay and dialogue. The film, about real-life gangster Ganga Harjivandas Kathiawadi, a mafia chief in 1960s Bombay, stars Alia Bhatt in the lead.

Bhatt won the award for Best Actor in a Leading Role (Female) for her performance in the film.

Hrithik Roshan won the leading actor trophy for his role in the Abu Dhabi-shot Vikram Vedha.

  • Bollywood superstar Salman Khan was the final performer of the night, dancing to many of his hits from over the decades. All photos: IIFA
    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
    Salman Khan on stage
  • Hrithik Roshan with his Best Actor in a Leading Role (Male) award for Vikram Vedha
    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 dances on stage with host Vicky Kaushal
  • Hrithik Roshan and Vicky Kaushal dance next to Abhishek Bachchan
    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'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
    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
    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
    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 paid tribute to old Bollywood, and performed classic hits including Aaiye Meherbaan, Babuji Dheere Chalna and Ajeeb Dastan
  • Rakul Preet Singh on stage
    Rakul Preet Singh on stage
  • Kriti Sanon began her performance with the song Apna Bana Le from the film Bhediya
    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 was joined by viral Norwegian dance crew Quick Style
  • Kriti Sanon on stage
    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
    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 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 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 performs
  • Varun Dhawan on stage
    Varun Dhawan on stage
  • Performers take part in the gala's Opening Act
    Performers take part in the gala's Opening Act
  • The performance combined Indian and Emirati cultures
    The performance combined Indian and Emirati cultures
  • The opening performance took the audience on a cultural journey across the Emirates
    The opening performance took the audience on a cultural journey across the Emirates
  • Dancers perform for Opening Act
    Dancers perform for Opening Act
  • The event began with a performance called Opening Act
    The event began with a performance called Opening Act
  • Hosts Abhishek Bachchan and Vicky Kaushal dance on stage
    Hosts Abhishek Bachchan and Vicky Kaushal dance on stage
  • Abhishek Bachchan and Vicky Kaushal hosted the Bollywood event this year
    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
    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
    Hosts Abhishek Bachchan and Vicky Kaushal on stage
  • Anil Kapoor 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'
    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'

Anees Bazmee's Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, the horror comedy starring Kartik Aaryan and Tabu, won two awards – Best Choreography for title track and Best Sound Design.

Brahmastra: Part One - Shiva won the majority of the awards on Saturday at the gala event, including Best Playback Singer for Shreya Ghoshal (Female) and Arijit Singh (Male), as well as Best Supporting Actor (Female) for Mouni Roy.

Mouni Roy with her Best Supporting Actor (Female) award for Brahmastra: Part One - Shiva. Photo: IIFA
Mouni Roy with her Best Supporting Actor (Female) award for Brahmastra: Part One - Shiva. Photo: IIFA

Babil Khan, the son of late Bollywood actor Irrfan Khan, shared the Best Debut (Male) award with Shantanu Maheshwari. Khan was celebrated for his role in the film Qala, and Maheshwari for starring in Gangubai Kathiawadi.

Khushali Kumar won the Best Debut (Female) awards for Dhoka Around the Corner.

Babil Khan and Shantanu Maheshwari shared the Best Debut (Male) award for Qala and Gangubai Kathiawadi, respectively. Photo: IIFA
Babil Khan and Shantanu Maheshwari shared the Best Debut (Male) award for Qala and Gangubai Kathiawadi, respectively. Photo: IIFA

Here are all the winners at the IIFA Awards 2023:

- Best Film: Drishyam 2

- Best Director: R Madhavan for Rocketry: The Nambi Effect

- Best Actor in a Leading Role (Female): Alia Bhatt for Gangubai Kathiawadi

- Best Actor in a Leading Role (Male): Hrithik Roshan for Vikram Vedha

- Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Female): Mouni Roy for Brahmastra: Part One - Shiva

- Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Male): Anil Kapoor for Jugjugg Jeeyo

- Outstanding Achievement for Fashion in Cinema: Manish Malhotra

- Outstanding Achievement in Indian Cinema: Kamal Haasan

- Best Adapted Story: Aamil Keeyan Khan and Abhishek Pathak for Drishyam 2

- Best Original Story: Perveez Sheikh and Jasmeet Reen for Darlings

- Outstanding Achievement in Regional Cinema: Marathi film Ved, directed by Riteish Deshmukh

- Best Debut (Male): Shantanu Maheshwari for Gangubai Kathiawadi and Babil Khan for Qala

- Best Debut (Female): Khushali Kumar for Dhoka Around the Corner

- Best Playback Singer (Female): Shreya Ghoshal for the song Rasiya from Brahmastra: Part One - Shiva

- Best Playback Singer (Male): Arijit Singh for the song Kesariya from Brahmastra: Part One - Shiva

- Best Music Direction: Pritam for Brahmastra: Part One - Shiva

- Best Lyricist: Amitabh Bhattacharya for the song Kesarya from Brahmastra: Part One - Shiva

- Best Cinematography: Gangubai Kathiawadi

- Best Screenplay: Gangubai Kathiawadi

- Best Dialogue: Gangubai Kathiawadi

- Best Choreography for title track: Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2

- Best Sound Design: Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2

- Best Editing: Drishyam 2

- Best Special Effects (Visual): Brahmastra: Part One - Shiva

- Best Background Score: Vikram Vedha

- Best Sound Mixing: Monica O My Darling

  • Bollywood actress Kriti Sanon arrives on the IIFA Rocks 2023 green carpet at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Photo: IIFA
    Bollywood actress Kriti Sanon arrives on the IIFA Rocks 2023 green carpet at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Photo: IIFA
  • Bollywood star Vicky Kaushal. Photo: IIFA
    Bollywood star Vicky Kaushal. Photo: IIFA
  • Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez. Photo: IIFA
    Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez. Photo: IIFA
  • Actor Sunny Kaushal. Photo: IIFA
    Actor Sunny Kaushal. Photo: IIFA
  • Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Indian actor Vijay Varma. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Indian actor Vijay Varma. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Bollywood actress Urvashi Rautela. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Bollywood actress Urvashi Rautela. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Bollywood actress Rakul Preet Singh. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Bollywood actress Rakul Preet Singh. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Indian actor Siddharth Nigam. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Indian actor Siddharth Nigam. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Bollywood actor Taaha Shah. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Bollywood actor Taaha Shah. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Bollywood actress Nora Fatehi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Bollywood actress Nora Fatehi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Actress Esha Gupta. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Actress Esha Gupta. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • South Indian actress Pranitha Subhash. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    South Indian actress Pranitha Subhash. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Actor Vishal Kotian. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Actor Vishal Kotian. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Rapper Badshah. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Rapper Badshah. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Bollywood actress Nushrratt Bharuccha. AFP
    Bollywood actress Nushrratt Bharuccha. AFP
  • Romanian actress Iulia Vantur. AFP
    Romanian actress Iulia Vantur. AFP
  • Indian actress Krystle D’Souza. AFP
    Indian actress Krystle D’Souza. AFP
  • Indian television actor Rohan Gandotra. AFP
    Indian television actor Rohan Gandotra. AFP
  • Actress Niharica Raizada. AFP
    Actress Niharica Raizada. AFP
  • Bollywood actor and host of IIFA Rocks 2023, Rajkumar Rao. AFP
    Bollywood actor and host of IIFA Rocks 2023, Rajkumar Rao. AFP
  • Director and co-host for the night Farah Khan Kunder arrives. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Director and co-host for the night Farah Khan Kunder arrives. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Bollywood star Abhishek Bachchan. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Bollywood star Abhishek Bachchan. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Bollywood actress Sanjana Sanghi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Bollywood actress Sanjana Sanghi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Norwegian dance troupe Quick Style. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Norwegian dance troupe Quick Style. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Indian fashion designer Manish Malhotra. AFP
    Indian fashion designer Manish Malhotra. AFP
BMW M5 specs

Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor

Power: 727hp

Torque: 1,000Nm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh650,000

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The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

United States

2.

China

3.

UAE

4.

Japan

5

Norway

6.

Canada

7.

Singapore

8.

Australia

9.

Saudi Arabia

10.

South Korea

MATCH INFO:

Second Test

Pakistan v Australia, Tuesday-Saturday, 10am​​ daily​​​​​ at Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Entrance is free

The specs: 2017 Porsche 718 Cayman

Price, base / as tested Dh222,500 / Dh296,870

Engine 2.0L, flat four-cylinder

Transmission Seven-speed PDK

Power 300hp @ 6,500rpm

Torque 380hp @ 1,950rpm

Fuel economy, combined 6.9L / 100km

Museum of the Future in numbers
  •  78 metres is the height of the museum
  •  30,000 square metres is its total area
  •  17,000 square metres is the length of the stainless steel facade
  •  14 kilometres is the length of LED lights used on the facade
  •  1,024 individual pieces make up the exterior 
  •  7 floors in all, with one for administrative offices
  •  2,400 diagonally intersecting steel members frame the torus shape
  •  100 species of trees and plants dot the gardens
  •  Dh145 is the price of a ticket
Timeline

2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence 

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

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

The specs: 2018 BMW R nineT Scrambler

Price, base / as tested Dh57,000

Engine 1,170cc air/oil-cooled flat twin four-stroke engine

Transmission Six-speed gearbox

Power 110hp) @ 7,750rpm

Torque 116Nm @ 6,000rpm

Fuel economy, combined 5.3L / 100km

Mobile phone packages comparison
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Company Profile

Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million

5 of the most-popular Airbnb locations in Dubai

Bobby Grudziecki, chief operating officer of Frank Porter, identifies the five most popular areas in Dubai for those looking to make the most out of their properties and the rates owners can secure:

• Dubai Marina

The Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence are popular locations, says Mr Grudziecki, due to their closeness to the beach, restaurants and hotels.

Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh482 to Dh739 
Two bedroom: Dh627 to Dh960 
Three bedroom: Dh721 to Dh1,104

• Downtown

Within walking distance of the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and the famous fountains, this location combines business and leisure.  “Sure it’s for tourists,” says Mr Grudziecki. “Though Downtown [still caters to business people] because it’s close to Dubai International Financial Centre."

Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh497 to Dh772
Two bedroom: Dh646 to Dh1,003
Three bedroom: Dh743 to Dh1,154

• City Walk

The rising star of the Dubai property market, this area is lined with pristine sidewalks, boutiques and cafes and close to the new entertainment venue Coca Cola Arena.  “Downtown and Marina are pretty much the same prices,” Mr Grudziecki says, “but City Walk is higher.”

Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh524 to Dh809 
Two bedroom: Dh682 to Dh1,052 
Three bedroom: Dh784 to Dh1,210 

• Jumeirah Lake Towers

Dubai Marina’s little brother JLT resides on the other side of Sheikh Zayed road but is still close enough to beachside outlets and attractions. The big selling point for Airbnb renters, however, is that “it’s cheaper than Dubai Marina”, Mr Grudziecki says.

Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh422 to Dh629 
Two bedroom: Dh549 to Dh818 
Three bedroom: Dh631 to Dh941

• Palm Jumeirah

Palm Jumeirah's proximity to luxury resorts is attractive, especially for big families, says Mr Grudziecki, as Airbnb renters can secure competitive rates on one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations.

Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh503 to Dh770 
Two bedroom: Dh654 to Dh1,002 
Three bedroom: Dh752 to Dh1,152 

Libya's Gold

UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves. 

The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.

Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.

Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
  • Flexible work arrangements
  • Pension support
  • Mental well-being assistance
  • Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
  • Financial well-being incentives 

Directed by Sam Mendes

Starring Dean-Charles Chapman, George MacKay, Daniel Mays

4.5/5

The biog

Name: Sari Al Zubaidi

Occupation: co-founder of Cafe di Rosati

Age: 42

Marital status: single

Favourite drink: drip coffee V60

Favourite destination: Bali, Indonesia 

Favourite book: 100 Years of Solitude 

The specs: 2017 Maserati Quattroporte

Price, base / as tested Dh389,000 / Dh559,000

Engine 3.0L twin-turbo V8

Transmission Eight-speed automatic

Power 530hp @ 6,800rpm

Torque 650Nm @ 2,000 rpm

Fuel economy, combined 10.7L / 100km

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Classification of skills

A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation. 

A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.

The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000. 

Updated: May 29, 2023, 8:08 AM