IIFA 2015 Updates thread! Stars arrive for IIFA! pg6 - Page 3

The glitz and glamour of Bollywood will be on full display at the 16th edition of the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards weekend, starting on Friday, June 5 and ending on Sunday, June 7. It promises to be "larger than life" with a focus on commercial opportunities between host country Malaysia and India.

After travelling to London, Dubai, Macau, Toronto and Singapore, the annually IIFA extravaganza, which celebrates Indian cinema, is heading to Malaysia for the second time for its 16th edition. Established in 2000, the gala was held at Genting Highlands Resort, Malaysia, in 2002 and - if one goes by the buzz - this edition will attract a whole lot of Bollywood fans.

"This edition is coming of age. It will be larger than life. There is also growing support of film industries from international countries for the IIFA movement and that's important," said Sabbas Joseph, director, Wizcraft International Entertainment, IIFA organisers.

"We will be promoting Malaysia in a big way. There will be exciting opportunities for tourism... Trade and business opportunities between Malaysia and India are definitely focus for us. Later in the year, the ASEAN Summit will take place (in Malaysia) too; so it is a great building ground for that," he added.

With delegates expected from various countries like China, Sri Lanka and Thailand, a "white paper will be launched on day one at the business forum where we will talk about the power of film tourism".

IIFA has seen Hollywood stars like Angelina Jolie, Jackie Chan, Kevin Spacey and John Travolta gracing the gala in its various editions. But any foreign talent this year has been kept under wraps.

Among those from Bollywood who will light up the stage at the Stadium Putra here on the awards night on June 7 are Hrithik Roshan, Anushka Sharma, Priyanka Chopra, Farhan Akhtar, Parineeti Chopra, Shraddha Kapoor, Sonakshi Sinha and Shahid Kapoor. Writer and filmmaker Subhash Ghai will be conferred the lifetime achievement award.

The hosts of the ceremony are actors - and besties - Ranveer Singh and Arjun Kapoor, who got into trouble earlier this year after they appeared as the subjects of Indian comedy group AIB's "Roast" earlier this year.

Another highlight will be the screening of Dil Dhadakne Do on June 5.

"The complete star cast will be in attendance. They will interact with fans and people from the film industry," said Joseph, about the Zoya Akhtar directorial, starring Anil Kapoor, Ranveer, Priyanka Chopra, Farhan Akhtar and Anushka Sharma.

IIFA Rocks, an exclusive music extravaganza hosted by actors Ayushmann Khurrana and Parineeti Chopra, will see a host of musical performances by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, Mika, Ankit Tiwari, Kanika Kapoor, Javed Ali and the Nooran sisters.

Sinha, who will be soon seen as a judge on singing reality show Indian Idol Junior, will also display her singing skills at IIFA Rocks on Friday, June 5.

There will also be a dose of fashion at the Fashion Extravaganza on June 6. Hosted by actors Vivek Oberoi and Neha Dhupia, it will see quirky designs by Masaba Gupta, who will present a line inspired by the IIFA trophy.

"We've got Fashion Extravaganza featuring Rocky S, Masaba and Gaurang Shah. There will be different kinds of collections from each of them. Masaba is doing a special collection for IIFA. It is inspired by the trophy ... gold and black. It has the sun graphics also because the IIFA trophy is inspired by the sun," said Joseph.

With about 800 Indian delegates, consisting of business officials, people from the film industry, dancers and models, flying to Kuala Lumpur for IIFA, Joseph promises that it will offer "different dances, style and more".

Nominations

Best Picture

Viacom 18 Motion Pictures, Vikramaditya Motwane & Anurag Kashyap - Queen

Sajid Nadiadwala & Karan Johar - 2 States

Vinod Chopra Films & Rajkumar Hirani Films - PK