The biggest names in Bollywood will converge on Madrid, Spain, for the 17th edition of the International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA) this weekend.
And before the green carpet is laid out for the awards ceremony on Saturday June 25, the stars will spend the weekend attending rock concerts, fashion shows and fitness camps.
Actor Shahid Kapoor, who is riding high on the success of his recent film Udta Punjab, and actor, singer and filmmaker Farhan Akhtar return to host the show after their successful 2014 outing.
Top stars invited to attend and up for awards include Amitabh Bachchan, Ranveer Singh, Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor, Hrithik Roshan, Priyanka Chopra and Sonakshi Sinha. And the buzz is that there will be a few Hollywood bigwigs dropping in, too.
This year’s edition will be broadcast in the UAE on July 10, accompanied by a special promotional tour by Bollywood stars.
The nominations
Mature storylines, daring scripts and historic plots ruled the Bollywood box office in 2015. The year saw filmmakers move away from rehashing tried-and-tested storylines and experimenting with fresh material and bold issues – and the nominations for Best Picture are indicative of the bumper crop.
The sensitive depiction of the fragile relationship between India and Pakistan in Bajrangi Bhaijaan has a place in the Best Picture category; Salman Khan, who played the guileless title character Bajrangi, has been nominated for Best Actor. Director Shoojit Sircar's Piku, a comedy about an elderly man obsessed with his bowel movements has earned a nomination, and Amitabh Bachchan and Deepika Padukone, who play father and daughter in the movie, have also been nominated for Best Actor /Actress.
The mixed reviews for Tamasha, a film by Imtiaz Ali about chasing dreams, didn't affect lead actor Ranbir Kapoor's chances of being nominated in the Best Actor category this year, while Varun Dhawan's commendable performance in Badlapur as a man avenging the death of his family has also been recognised with a nomination.
Priyanka Chopra has committed to meatier roles in Hollywood this year, but she continues to be a big draw in Bollywood. The Quantico star has been nominated for her role in Zoya Akhtar's multi-starrer Dil Dhadakne Do, while Shraddha Kapoor has been nominated for ABCD 2.
Also up for Best Actress Kangana Ranaut, who has been nominated for a dual role as a tomboy student and a woman at odds with her husband in Tanu Weds Manu Returns, which is up for Best Picture.
Filmmaker Meghna Gulzar's Talvar, which shed cinematic light on the real-life 2008 double-murder case of 14-year-old Aarushi Talwar and 45-year-old Hemraj Banjade, is on the Best Film list as well. Stellar performances and a gripping storyline make Sanjay Leela Bhansali's biopic Bajirao Mastani, a romance between Peshwa Bajirao, the general of the Maratha Empire in India and his second wife Mastani, a top contender for Best Film. We also have our bets on the irrepressible Ranveer Singh, who shed his mischievous antics for the earnest and tragic Bajirao, garnering critical acclaim.
Outstanding achievement
Veteran actress Sridevi, who returned to the big screen in 2012 after a long hiatus with the comedy English Vinglish, will be presented with the Outstanding Achievement Award, honouring her 40-year career in the Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada film industries. Sridevi made her Bollywood debut as a child artist in the 1975 drama Julie, and has won several awards for her performances in movies such as Sadma, Mr India, Chaalbaaz and Lamhe.
Performances and entertainment
Salman Khan brings the house down whenever he takes the stage.
After missing last year's IIFA event, and with his Eid release Sultan just around the corner, fans will have paid big money for front-row seats.
Expect him to dance to a medley of some of his chart-topping numbers from Hero, Bajrangi Bhaijaan and Prem Ratan Dhan Payo at the ceremony.
“I am truly looking forward to relive the experience of IIFA and spread the magic of Bollywood especially in the beautiful city of Madrid,” Khan said recently.
“IIFA has consistently played a crucial role in widening the horizons of the Hindi film industry to the world.
The celebrations are something that we all eagerly await and I am incredibly excited to be a part of the spectacle this year.”
The audience will also be entertained with performances by Hrithik Roshan, Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone and Sonakshi Sinha.
The health brigade
Where there is Shilpa Shetty Kundra, yoga is sure to follow. The Bollywood actress made yoga cool back in 2008 when she released her first yoga DVD, persuading people from all walks to join the calming discipline. Shetty will be returning to IIFA after seven years to make more lifelong yogis with an exclusive masterclass in Madrid. The co-author of The Great Indian Diet, the actress owes her good healthy to her daily yoga practice, and will be sharing her thoughts and journey with the participants over the IIFA weekend. The two-hour event will also be addressed by the ambassador of India to Spain, Vikram Misri, followed by a film on the benefits of yoga.
IIFA Rocks
Music meets fashion at one of the most anticipated concerts during the celebration weekend of the awards. IIFA Rocks 2016 will see some of the most celebrated and contemporary musicians from India fuse their melodies for a live performance, while Bollywood’s heavy hitters Salman Khan, Shilpa Shetty Kundra and Abhay Deol will recreate their trademark moves on stage. Singers Meet Brothers, Benny Dayal, Kanika Kapoor, Monali Thakur, Neeti Mohan and Papon will be jamming together for a pop and rock fusion on stage. The prolific music director Pritam’s collaboration with Spanish artists will be the headline act of the evening. Parineeti Chopra and Sooraj Pancholi will also take the stage to shake a leg. Fashion designer Vikram Phadnis will showcase fashion over the last 25 years.
Making music
The IIFA weekend has been timed to coincide with Madrid’s Movement of Urban Life and Arts Festival. India’s alternative music scene will be in the spotlight at the events, with Raghu Dixit Project, MIDIval Pundits, Karsh Kale and Nucleya taking the stage alongside Spanish dancers and musicians tomorrow.
• IIFA runs from June 22-25. The show will be aired on July 10 on Colors TV UAE.
aahmed@thenational.ae
