All eyes on Sidharth Malhotra!

Apart from the preparations, costume fittings and rehearsals, the B-Town folk are also taking time off in Durban to savour the sights. The stars who have arrived for the first South Africa Indian Film and Television awards 2013 seem to have a penchant for marine life.

Sidharth Malhotra

Some were spotted at the seal pantomine and dolphin shows along the South African city's ocean front. Though busy with his dance sessions for the awards, Sidharth Malhotra was keen to walk down a wooden bridge jutting into the sea. "I want to strike a Titanic post at the bridge," he says but blushes when asked with whom.

Dia Mirza

While Ranveer Singh was far from a romantic mood. "I want to go on a feeding the sharks trip." The actor, who is with his family, takes off for Cape Town for a short holiday after the awards event.

Madhuri Dixit, who had shot in South Africa decades ago, is on a nostalgia trip. "I had shot for my film Prem Granth here," she says. But for her and Karan Johar (who is hosting the gala) there is no time for sightseeing as they have to rush back for the preparations for the Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa finale.

Mukesh Bhatt, who has shot nine of his productions in various parts of South Africa, preferred scouring for locations to shoot his next. So was Dia Mirza in her producer role as well as exploring collaborations with South African artistes, which the event hopes to promote.

Surprisingly, the actor who seems to have the largest fan following in this part of the world is one-film old Sidharth Malhotra. The Student of The Year star has been taken aback. "I am overwhelmed and at the same time it is scary in the jostle to take pictures with me." Even the 50-something tourist guide wants a snapshot with him, it is not only the teenyboppers.