The International Indian Film Academy Awards were held in Abu Dhabi on June 3 and 4 last year, ending with a bang — quite literally — as fireworks went off over Yas Waterfront.
The gala evening on June 4, hosted by actors Riteish Deshmukh, Maniesh Paul and superstar Salman Khan, had all the ingredients you might expect from a Bollywood extravaganza: stellar performances, world-renowned talents, some good-natured ribbing and a celebration worthy of one of the largest film industries in the world. Here are some of our favourite moments from awards night.
1. Salman Khan gets emotional
Bollywood megastar Khan got teary-eyed on stage when he recounted his early struggles and all the people who supported him when he was starting out in the industry and had limited means. He credited "Anna" Suneil Shetty — who back then owned a small apparel shop in Mumbai — film producer Ramesh Taurani and actor Chunky Panday for helping him to become the superstar he is now.
2. Pankaj Tripathi gets the recognition he deserves
Actor Pankaj Tripathi, who won the award for Best Performance In a Supporting Role (Male) for his turn in the Netflix film Ludo, got an extended round of applause from the audience when he came on stage to accept his prize. Tripathi was nominated for two films (83 and Ludo) and even joked that he wasn't sure which he had won for when he was presented with the IIFA trophy. The actor, who makes his mark in even the smallest of roles, has garnered plenty of respect over the past few years for playing characters that are real, relatable and incredibly entertaining.
3. A wedding is re-enacted
Actor Vicky Kaushal married actress Katrina Kaif in an intimate ceremony in December 2021, with few Bollywood guests in attendance. So Riteish Deshmukh and Maniesh Paul decided to recreate the baraat (when the groom rides into the wedding venue on horseback, with his friends and family dancing around him). The re-enactment included actors playing the groom's parents, a makeshift horse and a cardboard cut-out of Kaif.
4. Simon Fuller sings Bollywood's praises
British entrepreneur Simon Fuller, who is the creator of the Idols television series, walked the IIFA Awards green carpet, saying that he "loves the singing and dancing of Bollywood". He also said he has watched many Bollywood films over the years, and that he thinks they are "visually strong and the music is fantastic". Fuller revealed that he was in Abu Dhabi working on a new television show "to take Bollywood to the world".
"With this region being close and a gateway to the rest of the world, I think it opens up lots of opportunities."
5. Some local touches
No IIFA Awards ceremony is complete without some big performances, but the special Abu Dhabi touches added to last year's event set it apart from previous years. Tanoura dancers made an appearance on the stage during the finale of Sara Ali Khan's performance to Chaka Chak from the film Atrangi Re.
Despite the background being bright and colourful, the tanoura dancers, with their brightly lit skirts, stood out. For actor Abhishek Bachchan's performance to Macha Macha Re from the film Dasvi, Emirati Ayala dancers joined the actor on stage. The best part? None of these additions seemed forced in any way — the choreography seamlessly blended the two styles of dance appearing on stage together.
6. A tribute is paid to Bappi Lahiri
A befitting and high-energy grand finale to last year's awards ceremony was actor Shahid Kapoor's tribute to Indian composer and singer Bappi Lahiri, who died in February. Kapoor emerged on a small platform above the audience, to one of Lahiri's most popular tracks, Yaad Aa Raha Hai, wearing a white outfit inspired by 1970s disco.
The audience showed a lot of love to Kapoor all evening, but this performance had them dancing and cheering particularly loudly. He also performed to Lahiri's Tamma Tamma, Disco Dancer, Dance Dance — with dancer Nora Fatehi — and Raat Baaki Baat Baaki, with actress Ananya Panday.
7. Rakhi Sawant will nurture new talent
As she walked down the green carpet, during a quick chat, dancer and actress Rakhi Sawant revealed that she would open her own dance academy, in a bid to give a "chance to new talent". While she did not give many details, she said the academy would have outposts in the UAE, the UK, Canada and India.
8. A young dancer is introduced
Speaking of nurturing new talents, one of the most popular dancers in Bollywood, Nora Fatehi, brought a young dancer from Abu Dhabi on to the stage to perform with her. Kashni discovered Fatehi on social media, through her #dancewithNora hashtag. The girl impressed with her moves to Fatehi's song Dance Meri Rani.
9. A family affair with Abhishek Bachchan
Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan's performance was one of the most anticipated of the night, and he did not disappoint. He danced his way to the stage from the aisles of the venue, making his way through the crowd, but the highlight was an impromptu dance he did offstage with his wife Aishwarya Rai and daughter Aaradhya. Abhishek revealed it was the first time he has performed at an event in front of his daughter.
Company profile
Name: Thndr
Started: October 2020
Founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: pre-seed of $800,000
Funding stage: series A; $20 million
Investors: Tiger Global, Beco Capital, Prosus Ventures, Y Combinator, Global Ventures, Abdul Latif Jameel, Endure Capital, 4DX Ventures, Plus VC, Rabacap and MSA Capital
The biog
Marital status: Separated with two young daughters
Education: Master's degree from American Univeristy of Cairo
Favourite book: That Is How They Defeat Despair by Salwa Aladian
Favourite Motto: Their happiness is your happiness
Goal: For Nefsy to become his legacy long after he is gon
Anghami
Started: December 2011
Co-founders: Elie Habib, Eddy Maroun
Based: Beirut and Dubai
Sector: Entertainment
Size: 85 employees
Stage: Series C
Investors: MEVP, du, Mobily, MBC, Samena Capital
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Fines for littering
In Dubai:
Dh200 for littering or spitting in the Dubai Metro
Dh500 for throwing cigarette butts or chewing gum on the floor, or littering from a vehicle.
Dh1,000 for littering on a beach, spitting in public places, throwing a cigarette butt from a vehicle
In Sharjah and other emirates
Dh500 for littering - including cigarette butts and chewing gum - in public places and beaches in Sharjah
Dh2,000 for littering in Sharjah deserts
Dh500 for littering from a vehicle in Ras Al Khaimah
Dh1,000 for littering from a car in Abu Dhabi
Dh1,000 to Dh100,000 for dumping waste in residential or public areas in Al Ain
Dh10,000 for littering at Ajman's beaches
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
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Transmission: 6-speed auto
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Results
2.30pm: Dubai Creek Tower – Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (Dirt) 1,200m; Winner: Marmara Xm, Gary Sanchez (jockey), Abdelkhir Adam (trainer)
3pm: Al Yasmeen – Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m; Winner: AS Hajez, Jesus Rosales, Khalifa Al Neyadi
3.30pm: Al Ferdous – Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m; Winner: Soukainah, Sebastien Martino, Jean-Claude Pecout
4pm: The Crown Prince Of Sharjah – Prestige (PA) Dh200,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: AF Thayer, Ray Dawson, Ernst Oertel
4.30pm: Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Cup – Handicap (TB) Dh200,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: George Villiers, Antonio Fresu, Bhupat Seemar
5pm: Palma Spring – Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Es Abu Mousa, Antonio Fresu, Abubakar Daud
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
Slow loris biog
From: Lonely Loris is a Sunda slow loris, one of nine species of the animal native to Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore
Status: Critically endangered, and listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature red list due to growing demand in the global exotic pet trade. It is one of the most popular primate species found at Indonesian pet markets
Likes: Sleeping, which they do for up to 18 hours a day. When they are awake, they like to eat fruit, insects, small birds and reptiles and some types of vegetation
Dislikes: Sunlight. Being a nocturnal animal, the slow loris wakes around sunset and is active throughout the night
Superpowers: His dangerous elbows. The slow loris’s doe eyes may make it look cute, but it is also deadly. The only known venomous primate, it hisses and clasps its paws and can produce a venom from its elbow that can cause anaphylactic shock and even death in humans
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 247hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 370Nm from 1,500-3,500rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 7.8L/100km
Price: from Dh94,900
On sale: now
