Balaji awards in aamchi Mumbai?

After Bhutto's assassination, Ekta Kapoor is planning to change the awards venue from Dubai to Mumbai.

Ekta and Shobha Kapoor's ambitious Balaji TV awards might not be held in Dubai on January 25 next year — but in Mumbai — because of the assassination of Benazir Bhutto. A source from event organiser GS Entertainment says, "After Benazir Bhutto's assassination on Thursday, Balaji had an urgent meeting to take a call on whether the event should be shifted to Mumbai."

Sponsor issue

What has the situation in Pakistan have to do with the award function in Dubai? The source reveals, "Pakistani TV channel ARY were one of the chief sponsors for the event. The creative head of ARY in Pakistan is naturally worried about what's happening in his country. Right now, the political situation in Pakistan is so tense that anything can happen. Everything is shaky right now. Political disorders impact all events."

All of Balaji's sponsors are Dubai-based businessmen who hail from Pakistan. Dubai is a state with a liberal economy, so many Pakistan businessmen have set shop there. All the local sponsors live in Dubai but have bases in Pakistan. And it's definitely not a good idea for them to be associated with a
starry night at such a sensitive time.

The source adds, "If the sponsors create unstable situation, Balaji will face big problems there. It's better to take a safe stand and have it in Mumbai. Ekta's father Jeetendra and mom Shobha will be personally inviting industry bigwigs from B-Town. Balaji can't afford to take risks with such high-profile guests. It's best to shift the show to Mumbai where they have the infrastructure to set things right if something goes wrong."

Will they get Indian sponsors at such notice? "Balaji has an offer from Star but 9X is willing to pay them more. So now their dilemma is whether they should stick to the Star people or go for a higher price? The sponsors will be taken care of by the channel."

Bunty Walia from GS Entertainment says, "I have not been told as yet by Balaji. Please check with Shobha Kapoor."

Ekta Kapoor says, "At the moment, nothing has been decided yet. We aren't getting so many hotels in Dubai."

A press conference will be held on January 6 or 10 in Mumbai where the event details will be announced.

Article: MID-DAY