The International Indian Film Academy Awards are returning to the UAE for the first time since 2006, with Abu Dhabi playing host in May. To be held at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island, the IIFA Weekend & Awards will feature performances by some of the biggest Indian stars across two days, on May 20 and 21, with many of the top films and actors of the past year to be honoured on the second night.
The event was initially scheduled to be held in March, but was postponed "due to changing circumstances in the spread of the Covid-19 virus", organisers said.
"We at IIFA are responsible and committed to ensure the safety of the citizens and multitudes of IIFA fans who travel from across the globe to attend and experience the magic," they said.
Bollywood star Salman Khan will play host at the gala awards night, along with actors Riteish Deshmukh and Maniesh Paul. Performers include Ranveer Singh, who was recently named the brand ambassador for Yas Island, as well as actors Varun Dhawan and Ananya Panday.
“I have always enjoyed being a part of the IIFA family and travelling to some great destinations, but this year I am super-happy that we are headed to one of my personal favourites, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi," Khan said.
"IIFA is always a memorable time and this year it will be an even bigger celebration as we celebrate the 75th year of India’s independence and the UAE’s 50th anniversary Golden Jubilee."
Speaking at an event in Mumbai in March to announce some of the performers, Dhawan said the IIFA Awards has given him "some very precious moments".
"Holding the IIFA trophy, performing in the festivities is special. In this edition, we are travelling to Abu Dhabi, which is one of my favourite cities, and I am really looking forward to connecting with fans and having a fun time overall."
What are the IIFA Awards?
First held in the year 2000, in London, the IIFA Awards were conceptualised by Mumbai event company Wizcraft International Entertainment to honour the best Hindi films and movie talents of the previous year. It is held in a different country every year, and has been instrumental in boosting Bollywood's popularity globally.
Dubai hosted the event in 2006, and so has Bangkok, New York, Colombo, Amsterdam, Madrid, Florida, Kuala Lumpur and Macau.
While the 2020 and 2021 events were cancelled owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, the last IIFA event was held in Mumbai, the home of Bollywood.
"Over the last 21 years, the IIFA has not only given Indian cinema an international platform, but it has created a wonderful opportunity to take us to our fans and connect millions of people globally," Khan said.
What happens at the IIFA Weekend & Awards?
Usually spread across several days, the IIFA Awards features concerts, fashion shows and promotional events. But the final evening is the gala awards night when the biggest stars arrive.
The event will begin with IIFA Rocks, a night dedicated to music, on May 20, hosted by actress Parineeti Chopra and director and producer Karan Johar. Performers announced so far for the night include composer and singer Devi Sri Prasad, music whiz Tanishk Bagchi, singer Neha Kakkar and Dhvani Bhanushali. Punjabi pop star Guru Randhawa and rapper Honey Singh will also present their new collaboration, the single Designer.
"The IIFA has always been associated with bringing global fans closer to Bollywood and closer to all of us. So being a part of the IIFA has always been special, but this time it's even more special because it's happening at Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, and I am super-excited to be there and meet everyone," Chopra said.
Johar, who is also known for his talk show Koffee with Karan, said the IIFA Awards is "beyond just an event".
"It’s a brand and a platform where talent is bestowed on from music, arts and culture along with fashion shows that make it an extravagant weekend," he said.
What to expect in Abu Dhabi
After a two-year break, the next IIFA event promises to return with a bang at Etihad Arena, the state-of-the-art indoor stadium on Yas Island.
"I am proud and excited to get ready to host the 2022 IIFA Weekend & Awards in Abu Dhabi," host Khan said. "I’m so happy to be coming back with them, especially to a place I love."
Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, chief executive of Miral, the developer of Yas Island, called it an "honour" to host the awards.
"As the Middle East’s largest state-of-the-art indoor entertainment venue, Etihad Arena presents an ideal setting for world-class events that attract international stars and audiences," he said.
Who will perform at the event?
As well as Singh, Dhawan and Panday, actors Kartik Aaryan, Sara Ali Khan, Divya Khosla Kumar and Nora Fatehi have also been confirmed as performers so far.
“Yas Island is like home to me, as I am the brand ambassador of such a spectacular destination. I am super-thrilled to be heading there to entertain people with a performance that will be super-special," Singh said. "It’s going to be epic.“
Aaryan, who hosted the 2018 awards, called it a "phenomenal experience".
"I’m elated to perform once again at the 22nd edition of the biggest celebration of Indian cinema. IIFA truly is an embodiment of a global phenomenon with its massive fan following and I’m looking forward to the IIFA Awards at Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, this year, he said.
Who is nominated for an award?
Nominees for 12 of the most popular categories have been announced. War film Shershaah, starring Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani, leads with a whopping 12 nominations, followed by Singh's cricket biopic 83, which has nine and Abhishek Bachchan's Ludo which has six.
Atrangi Re and Thappad follow close behind with five nods, while Mimi has four.
A full list of nominees is here.
How much do tickets cost?
Tickets to the IIFA Awards are already selling out, with the venue's Upper Tier seats priced at Dh110 and Dh220 no longer available. Lower Tier tickets from Dh330 to Dh1,350 are still available at etihadarena.ae.
— This article was first published on December 21, 2021
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EYango%20Deli%20Tech%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EUAE%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELaunch%20year%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2022%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERetail%20SaaS%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESelf%20funded%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Safety 'top priority' for rival hyperloop company
The chief operating officer of Hyperloop Transportation Technologies, Andres de Leon, said his company's hyperloop technology is “ready” and safe.
He said the company prioritised safety throughout its development and, last year, Munich Re, one of the world's largest reinsurance companies, announced it was ready to insure their technology.
“Our levitation, propulsion, and vacuum technology have all been developed [...] over several decades and have been deployed and tested at full scale,” he said in a statement to The National.
“Only once the system has been certified and approved will it move people,” he said.
HyperloopTT has begun designing and engineering processes for its Abu Dhabi projects and hopes to break ground soon.
With no delivery date yet announced, Mr de Leon said timelines had to be considered carefully, as government approval, permits, and regulations could create necessary delays.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League last-16, second leg:
Real Madrid 1 (Asensio 70'), Ajax 4 (Ziyech 7', Neres 18', Tadic 62', Schone 72')
Ajax win 5-3 on aggregate
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
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What to watch out for:
Algae, waste coffee grounds and orange peels will be used in the pavilion's walls and gangways
The hulls of three ships will be used for the roof
The hulls will painted to make the largest Italian tricolour in the country’s history
Several pillars more than 20 metres high will support the structure
Roughly 15 tonnes of steel will be used
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
