In just two days, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, will be immersed in the festive spirit of Indian cinema as it plays host to IIFA 2024. The latest edition of the International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA) will take place from September 27 to September 29, promising a grand celebration of Indian cinema.
IIFA Utsavam to Honor Southern Cinema
The three-day extravaganza will kick off with IIFA Utsavam, an event dedicated to celebrating the southern film industries, including Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada cinema. One of the key highlights will be the honoring of megastar Chiranjeevi for his outstanding contributions to Indian cinema.
Star-Studded IIFA Awards Night
On the second day, some of Bollywood’s biggest names, including Shah Rukh Khan, Vicky Kaushal, and Karan Johar, will take center stage as hosts for the IIFA Awards night. Shah Rukh Khan expressed his excitement, saying, “IIFA is a celebration of Indian cinema that resonates across the globe… I look forward to bringing the energy, passion, and grandeur of IIFA to life once again.”
Karan Johar, who shares a deep personal connection with IIFA, also shared his sentiments, recalling how his late father was a significant part of IIFA’s advisory board. He said, “It’s an absolute honour to reignite the magic on the iconic IIFA stage this September alongside my dear friend Shah Rukh Khan.”
SRK and Karan’s Playful Banter
The duo recently appeared together at a pre-IIFA event in Mumbai, where they shared some light-hearted banter. SRK jokingly teased Karan for hosting more chat shows than making films, saying, “Chat show bhi host karta hai, film show bhi host karta hai… picture bhi toh bana mere bhai tu (make films too).” Karan humorously admitted that he needs to focus more on filmmaking.
Rekha’s Grand Return to the IIFA Stage
Adding to the excitement, legendary actress Rekha will return to the IIFA stage after several years. She is set to perform a mesmerizing 22-minute dance sequence, accompanied by 150 dancers, while wearing a stunning Manish Malhotra outfit. Rekha last performed at IIFA in 2018, leaving the audience spellbound with her grace and charm.
Sharing her excitement about the upcoming performance, Rekha said, “IIFA holds a special place in my heart… it feels like home – a beautiful showcase where the magic of Indian cinema truly comes alive.”
Star Performances to Light Up the Night
The gala night will also feature energetic performances from Shahid Kapoor, Kriti Sanon, Ananya Panday, Janhvi Kapoor, and Vicky Kaushal, adding even more glitz to the event.
IIFA Rocks to Conclude the Grand Affair
IIFA 2024 will conclude on September 29 with the exclusive, invitation-only event, IIFA Rocks. The final night will see live performances by Honey Singh, Shilpa Rao, and the musical trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, bringing the grand celebration to a spectacular end.
IIFA 2024 is all set to be an unforgettable experience, celebrating Indian cinema on a global stage.