IIFA Rocks 2022 top 10 moments: Bollywood stars shine at Abu Dhabi ceremony

The first night of the IIFA Awards at the Etihad Arena was dedicated to music and fashion

South Indian composer and singer Devi Sri Prasad performs at IIFA Rocks at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on June 3. All photos: IIFA 2022

Devi Sri Prasad, popularly known as DSP, created a special mix for his Abu Dhabi performance — blending one of his hits 'OO Antava Mava' with Arabic beats and the Punjabi dhol.

The IIFA Rocks show was hosted by director Farah Khan Kunder and actor Aparshakti Khurana.

Dancers performing at IIFA Rocks.

Composer A R Rahman being honoured by host Farah Khan Kunder.

Singer Neha Kakkar on stage.

Neha Kakkar also performed with her husband, singer Rohanpreet Singh.

Neha Kakkar and Rohanpreet Singh on the IIFA Rocks stage.

The couple performed their hits together.

Hosts Farah Khan Kunder and Aparshakti Khurana share a light moment with actor Chunky Panday.

Singer and actor Zahrah S Khan performs.

Zahra S Khan shares the stage with singer and composer Tanisk Bagchi.

Neha Kakkar belted out her hits.

Singers Asees Kaur and Zahrah S Khan on stage.

Singer Asees Kaur performs.

Actress Jacqueline Fernandez was one of the models for the fashion show.

Actress Ananya Panday walks the catwalk for designers Falguni and Shane Peacock.

Bollywood actors Ananya Panday and Jacqueline Fernandez helped showcase the latest collection by celebrity favourite designers Shane and Falguni Peacock.

It was a night of star-spotting in Abu Dhabi as Bollywood's elite made their way to Yas Island for the first day of the IIFA Weekend at Etihad Arena.

In true Bollywood fashion, the evening began later than expected. Most celebrities were happy to stop on the green carpet and chat before making their way to the event.

Several actors including Shahid Kapoor, Salman, Nora Fatehi, Lara Dutta Bhupathi, Sara Ali Khan and Ananya Pandey walked down.

IIFA Awards 2022 live: Salman Khan joins Bollywood stars for IIFA Rocks in Abu Dhabi

Here are the top 10 things we learnt:

1. Fardeen Khan is back on the big screen

Bollywood actor Fardeen Khan. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

The actor is making his return to entertainment after 12 years.

Having been away from the limelight, he said he's appearing in a film called Visfot (Blast), which he recently finished shooting.

He will star alongside Riteish Deshmukh in the thriller which is a remake of a Venezuelan film.

2. Yo Yo Honey Singh is the man of the moment

Rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh at IIFA Rocks. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

The rapper has a huge fan following in Bollywood — several stars including South Indian actress Mamta Mohandas and Sara Ali Khan said they were looking forward to his performance at the IIFA Rocks.

3. Ananya Panday's 'dream come true'

Ananya Panday walks the green carpet at IIFA Rocks 2022 event held in Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Speaking at her first IIFA performance, the Bollywood actress said it was "a dream come true” and called it "bigger and better than ever”.

Panday, who is a big fan of Abu Dhabi, says she is excited to visit Warner Bros World, so fans of the actress who are hoping to catch a glimpse of her know where to go.

4. Middle Eastern designers dazzle again

Zahrah S Khan in a dress by Lebanese designer Ziad Germanos. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

A number of stars attending the event in Abu Dhabi chose to wear creations by Middle Eastern designers for the green carpet, with Zahrah S Khan and Asees Kaur in dresses by Lebanon's Ziad Germanos.

Actress Urvashi Rautela was seen in a dress by Amato, the label by Filipino designer Furne One, who is based in Dubai. And actress Nora Fatehi wore a blue gown by Filipino designer Michael Cinco, who runs his brand from Dubai.

5. Newbies are also joining the fun at the IIFA Awards

Actress Sharvari Wagh walks the green carpet. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

It is the first time several talents from the Hindi film industry are attending the event, including singer Zahrah S Khan and actress Sharvari.

Khan was one of the performers at IIFA Rocks.

6. Sara Ali Khan's is heading to Skydive Dubai

The popular actress said she planned to make the most of her time in the UAE and aims to go skydiving while she’s in the country — revealing she will be documenting her experience on Instagram.

7. Lara Dutta's off to the Louvre Abu Dhabi

The actress and former Miss Universe called Abu Dhabi a "very warm and very welcoming" city, having been here several times before to shoot films.

She also said she plans to visit the Louvre Abu Dhabi.

8. Shahid Kapoor's is a regular face in Abu Dhabi

The Bollywood star spent an entire month in Abu Dhabi, including on Yas Island, shooting an action film directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, known for his hit Tiger series of films, which were also shot in the city.

Kapoor's film does not have a title or a release date yet.

9. Mamta Mohandas shares Salman Khan's wardrobe

South Indian actress Mamta Mohandas. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

South Indian actress Mohandas has been a big fan of Bollywood actor Salman Khan since she was a child.

She even chose an outfit by Khan’s stylist Ashley Rebello to wear on the green carpet on Friday night.

10. Rahul Dev is a Sara Ali Khan fan

Actor Rahul Dev and actress and model Mugdha Godse. AFP

Actor Dev, who walked the green carpet with girlfriend, actress Mugdha Godse, said he was looking forward to Sara Ali Khan’s IIFA Awards performance on Saturday.

He revealed he has just wrapped up a film with her.

Scroll through the gallery for more pictures of Bollywood stars on the IIFA Rocks green carpet:

Salman Khan walks the green carpet at IIFA Rocks on the first night of the IIFA Awards 2022 at Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi. All photos: Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Shahid Kapoor will perform at the gala night on June 4.

Bollywood actress Sara Ali Khan on the green carpet.

Actress Ananya Panday in a blue Marchesa dress.

Actress Divya Khosla Kumar will perform on June 4.

Ananya Panday said her performance on June 4 would be her first ever live performance.

Sara Ali Khan will be one of the performers at the IIFA Awards 2022 on June 4.

She said she wanted to go skydiving in Abu Dhabi.

Actor and director Anurag Basu.

Divya Khosla Kumar on the green carpet.

Singer and composer Tanishk Bagchi.

South Indian actress Mamta Mohandas walks the green carpet at IIFA Rocks 2022.

Mohandas wore a dress by Ashely Robello.

Tanishk Bagchi is known for many Bollywood hits including 'Ratan Lambiyan' and 'Dance Meri Rani'.

Rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh makes a striking entrance.

Singer Asees Kaur is also one of the performers at IIFA Rocks 2022.

Singer Zahrah S Khan will also perform at IIFA Rocks.

Actor Fardeen Khan said he would return to films soon.

Singer Neha Kakkar walks the green carpet at IIFA Rocks 2022.

Zahrah S Khan glowed in an electric blue off-shoulder dress by Lebanese designer Ziad Germano.

Actress Urvashi Rautela walks the green carpet.

Tiger Shroff is one of the star performers at the gala night on June 4.

Singer Guru Randhawa will perform at IIFA Rocks.

Actress and former Miss Universe Lara Dutta.

Dutta said she was looking forward to visiting the Louvre Abu Dhabi.

Actor Bobby Deol on the green carpet.

Actress Rakhi Sawant was one of the guests.

Actor Maneish Paul will host the IIFA Awards on June 4 along with actors Salman Khan and Riteish Deshmukh.

Oscar-winning composer A R Rahman walks the green carpet at IIFA Rocks 2022.

Actress Jacqueline Fernandez walks the green carpet.

Actor Maneish Paul on the green carpet.

Actress Gauahar Khan walks the green carpet.

Singer and composer Devi Sri Prasad, popularly known as DSP, is one of the performers at IIFA Rocks.

Salman Khan walks the green carpet at IIFA Rocks 2022 event held in Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Actress and dancer Nora Fatehi walks the green carpet at IIFA Rocks.

Nora Fatehi is set to perform at the IIFA Awards on June 4.