The most memorable IIFA Awards moments over the years

As Abu Dhabi prepares to celebrate all things Bollywood and host the event for the third year in a row, here is a look back on what has happened at past shows

Priyanka Chopra and John Travolta perform at the IIFA Awards in Toronto in 2014. Photo: IIFA

Ever since the first Indian International Film Academy Awards, or IIFA Awards, were held in London in 2000, the annual event has established itself as one of the biggest gatherings of top Bollywood celebrities and their fans.

Held in a different city every year, and usually over several days, the IIFA Awards return to the UAE this weekend, with Abu Dhabi playing host for the third year in a row.

This year, the event is bringing additional South Indian star power with IIFA Utsavam, which is dedicated to films and celebrities from the region. To be held across three days at Etihad Arena, the IIFA Festival (as it is called this year) will begin with IIFA Utsavam on Friday. The second night, on Saturday, will be the flagship IIFA Awards, which honour the best of Bollywood or the Hindi film industry. The festival will close with IIFA Rocks, a night dedicated to music and fashion, on Sunday.

All three nights are expected to feature top stars from India's entertainment industry. Ahead of the awards, here's a look back at some of the most memorable moments from the past.

2000: London, UK

Jackie Chan and Kylie Minogue at the IIFA Awards in 2000. Photo: IIFA

The first awards at the Millennium Dome, now named The O2, was as star-studded as they come as Bollywood and Hollywood stars got together. Jackie Chan, who received an honorary award, and Kylie Minogue, pictured, walked the red carpet. Angelina Jolie was also one of the presenters.

2001: Sun City, South Africa

Priyanka Chopra was the host of the second awards. Hrithik Roshan's debut film Kaho NAA Pyar Hai was the big winner of the night.

2002: Genting Highlands, Malaysia

Sushmita Sen was the star attraction at the IIFA Awards in Malaysia in 2002. Photo: IIFA

Miss Universe 2000 Lara Dutta was the host and another former Miss Universe, Sushmita Sen, was one of the performers in Malaysia.

2003: Johannesburg, South Africa

Anil Kapoor and Dia Mirza were the hosts as veteran actor Dev Anand, who died in 2011, was given a career achievement award by Rekha.

2004: Singapore

Amitabh Bachchan and his wife Jaya Bachchan present an award at the IIFA Awards 2004 in Singapore. Photo: IIFA

Actors Rahul Khanna and Celina Jaitly were hosts. Amitabh Bachchan, brand ambassador for the event, was one of the presenters, while his wife Jaya's film Kal Ho Na Ho swept the awards that year.

2005: Amsterdam, the Netherlands

The Bachchan family on stage at the IIFA Awards in Amsterdam in 2005. Photo: IIFA

Amsterdam got its taste of Bollywood magic, with director Karan Johar and actor Fardeen Khan as hosts. A performance by the Bachchan family, featuring Amitabh, Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek, was one of the highlights.

2006: Dubai, UAE

Katrina Kaif and Akshay Kumar perform at the IIFA Awards in Dubai in 2006. Photo: IIFA

It was Dubai's turn in 2006, with Lara Dutta returning as host along with actor Fardeen Khan. The highlight was a performance by Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif.

2007: Sheffield, UK

Lara Dutta yet again took on hosting duties, this time alongside actor Boman Irani. Govinda and Salman Khan put up an electrifying performance on the night.

2008: Bangkok, Thailand

Hosts Boman Irani and Riteish Deshmukh left the audience in splits in Bangkok. Priyanka Chopra was one of the performers while Shah Rukh Khan's Chak De! India swept all the major awards.

2009: Macau, China

Boman Irani and Riteish Deshmukh returned as hosts in Macau. Deshmukh also performed with Govinda on the night that clearly belonged to Jodhaa Akbar, the period film starring Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.

2010: Colombo, Sri Lanka

Kareen Kapoor Khan on stage in Colombo, Sri Lanka, at the IIFA Awards in 2010. Photo: IIFA

Kareena Kapoor Khan was one of the performers, while Aamir Khan's 3 Idiots won in most of the major categories.

2011: Toronto, Canada

Shah Rukh Khan performs at the IIFA Awards in Toronto in 2011. Photo: IIFA

Shah Rukh Khan was one of the big attractions in Toronto. The star was one of the performers and also won Best Actor for his film My Name is Khan, given to him at the event by Oscar winner Hillary Swank.

2012: Singapore

Actors Shahid Kapoor and Farhan Akhtar were the hosts and Ranbir Kapoor's performance was one of the highlights.

2013: Macau, China

Sridevi performs at the IIFA Awards in 2013. Photo: IIFA

Veteran actress Sridevi, who had just had a career revival with her film English Vinglish, was one of the performers. One of the most celebrated Bollywood stars, Sridevi died of a heart attack in her hotel room in Dubai in 2018. She was only 54.

2014: Florida, USA

A performance by Priyanka Chopra and John Travolta remains the highlight of this star-studded evening.

2015: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Ranveer Singh and Arjun Kapoor played host as the awards returned to Kuala Lumpur for the second time. Shraddha Kapoor was one of the performers of the night, while Deepika Padukone received the Woman of the Year award.

2016: Madrid, Spain

Deepika Padukone performs at the IIFA Awards in 2016. Photo: IIFA

Bollywood's biggest and brightest turned up in the Spanish capital, where Shahid Kapoor and Farhan Akhtar were the hosts. Deepika Padukone was one of the star performers.

2017: New York City, USA

Shahid Kapoor and Alia Bhatt's film Udta Punjab won all the main categories. Karan Johar and Saif Ali Khan shared hosting duties, and Varun Dhawan presented Bhatt with her Best Actress award.

2018: Bangkok, Thailand

Kriti Sanon and Riteish Deshmukh on stage at the IIFA Awards in Bangkok in 2018. Photo: IIFA

Riteish Deshmukh, pictured with Kriti Sanon, returned as host along with Karan Johar. The night was an emotional one as Sridevi, who died earlier that year, won Best Actress for her role in Mom.

2019: Mumbai, India

It was as star-studded as it could get as the awards returned home to be hosted by actor brothers Ayushmann Khurrana and Aparshakti Khurana. Performers included Ranveer Singh, Salman Khan, Vicky Kaushal, Sara Ali Khan, Katrina Kaif and Madhuri Dixit-Nene.

2022: Abu Dhabi, UAE

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.

Actor Tiger Shroff was one of the first performers of the night.

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'.

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'.

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.

Actress Divya Khosla Kumar performs.

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.

Punjabi pop star Guru Randhawa performs.

Rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh on stage.

Actor Abhishek Bachchan appears on stage.

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.

Fatehi also debuted her new song 'Dirty Little Secrets' in Abu Dhabi.

Filmmaker Vishnuvardhan's film 'Shershaah' won both Best Director and Best Picture.

Anurag Basu won Best Original Story for 'Ludo'.

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'.

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'.

Abhishek Bachchan began his performance with the song 'Indiawale'.

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 daughter Aaradhya enjoy Abhishek's performance on the front row.

Ananya Panday performs.

Actress Sara Ali Khan performs.

Abhishek Bachchan performs.

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.

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 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.

Kapoor was also joined by Nora Fatehi for a song.

Kapoor's tribute to Lahiri was the final performance of the night.

Following a two-year break due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the awards returned to the UAE. Bollywood megastar Salman Khan hosted the event along with actors Maniesh Paul and Riteish Deshmukh. Khan got teary-eyed on stage when he recounted his early struggles and all the people who supported him while he was starting out in the industry and had limited means.

2023: Abu Dhabi, UAE

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'

Vicky Kaushal and Abhishek Bachchan were hosts as the event returned to the UAE capital. The pair's chemistry ensured an entertaining evening was had by all, while top performances included a hit-laden turn from Varun Dhawan, while Rakul Preet Singh and Nora Fatehi paid tribute to the Bollywood stars of yesteryear.