IIFA Awards 2023: Bollywood stars 'thrilled to return to Abu Dhabi'

Bollywood star Abhishek Bachchan said he’s “thrilled to return to Abu Dhabi” to host the International Indian Film Academy Awards gala at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island.

Bachchan, who performed at the event – one of the biggest of its kind dedicated to all things Bollywood – last year, will share hosting duties with acclaimed actor Vicky Kaushal on Saturday night. Top films and talents of 2022 will be honoured on the night, which will also feature performances by superstar Salman Khan and actors Varun Dhawan, Kartik Aaryan, Ayushmann Khurrana, Kriti Sanon, Nora Fatehi, Jacqueline Fernandez and Rakul Preet Singh.

“It will be an absolute pleasure and honour to entertain and meet fans from all over the world,” Bachchan said on Thursday. “We’re all working very hard to prepare a wonderful weekend to entertain all of you, but most importantly to celebrate Indian cinema.”

Bollywood star Salman Khan at a press conference ahead of the International Indian Film Academy Awards, to be held in Abu Dhabi on Friday and Saturday. All photos: Antonie Robertson / The National

Bollywood stars Abhishek Bachchan and Vicky Kaushal

Bollywood actress Rakul Preet Singh

Bollywood actress and dancer Iulia Vantur

Director Farah Khan Kunder

Khan with Wizcraft International Entertainment director Sabbas Joseph

Norwegian dance group Quick Style arrive

Abhishek Bachchan speaks at the press conference

Dancer Nora Fatehi arrives

Quick Style perform at the press conference

IIFA Rocks hosts Farah Khan Kunder and Rajkummar Rao

Khan Kunder and Rao with IIFA Rocks performers. From left: Nucleya, Amit Trivedi, Iulia Vantur, Sunidhi Chauhan and Badshah

Kaushal, who won Best Actor last year for the biopic Sardar Udham, said he was excited to share the stage with “my buddy Abhishek Bachchan”.

“My journey with IIFA has been tremendously exciting over the years and I can’t wait to be on stage to co-host IIFA Awards 2023,” he said.

Khan made a fashionably late entrance, and briefly interacted with the media.

Speaking of his fondness of Abu Dhabi, he said he had so many good memories, having filmed multiple times in the city.

“I’m happy that IIFA tickets sold out, so thank you all,” he said to loud cheers.

First held in London in 2000, the IIFA Awards are hosted by a different city each year but this is the second year in a row Abu Dhabi is hosting the event. Cities that have previously hosted the awards include Dubai, Bangkok, New York, Colombo, Amsterdam, Madrid, Florida, Kuala Lumpur and Macau.

Saturday’s gala will be preceded by IIFA Rocks, a night dedicated to music and fashion.

Acclaimed actor Rajkummar Rao and director Farah Khan Kunder will host the night, which will also feature a fashion show by celebrated designer Manish Malhotra. Malhotra, who is set to open his flagship store in Dubai later this year, is celebrating 25 years in the fashion industry.

“IIFA is a real example of a worldwide phenomenon that not only recognises and honours the excellence of Indian cinema on a global scale but also offers the entire film industry a terrific opportunity. Personally, I am overjoyed to host IIFA Rocks once again,” Khan Kunder said.

Rao said he was excited at “the prospect of having fun and making memories.”

“It’s going to be a blast,” he added.

Saleh Mohamed Saleh Al Geziry, director general of tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, spoke of the shared cultural and economic ties between India and the UAE.

“Abu Dhabi has served as the setting for a number of Bollywood blockbusters, allowing people all over the world to learn about our stunning country,” he said. “The biggest celebration of Indian cinema will take place in Abu Dhabi, and we are excited to welcome the illustrious actors, directors and members of the Indian film community, as well as their supporters.”

Stars scheduled to attend the awards gala on Saturday include Alia Bhatt, Kamal Haasan, Hrithik Roshan, Anil Kapoor, Riteish and Genelia D’Souza and Dia Mirza.

Sabbas Joseph, the director of Mumbai event company Wizcraft International Entertainment, which organises the IIFA Awards, promised a bigger and better event this year.

“One year ago, IIFA 2002 was brilliant in Abu Dhabi at Yas Island. Take two will be that much better and that much bigger,” he said.

Actors Maniesh Paul, Riteish Deshmukh and Salman Khan hosted the 22nd IIFA Awards at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. All photos: IIFA2022

Salman Khan arrived to the venue on a motorbike.

Actor Tiger Shroff was one of the first performers of the night.

Tiger Shroff is known for his high-energy dance moves.

Shroff performed a mix of his hits, including ‘Whistle Baja’, ‘Zindagi Aa Raha Hoon Main’, ‘Dus Bahane’ and ‘Jai Jai Shivshankar’.

Singer Jubin Natiyal won the Best Playback Singer (Male) for the song ‘Raataan Lambiyan’ from the film ‘Shershaah’.

Asees Kaur also won Best Playback Singer (Female) for ‘Raataan Lambiyan’ from the film ‘Shershaah’.

Ahan Shetty won the Best Debut (Male) for his role in ‘Tadap’.

Actor Suniel Shetty handed the Best Debut (Male) award to his son Ahan Shetty.

Actress Divya Khosla Kumar performs.

Rapper Yo Yo Singh and Guru Randhawa debuted their song ‘Designer’ at the IIFA Awards.

The musicians were joined by Divya Khosla Kumar for a performance.

Punjabi pop star Guru Randhawa performs.

Rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh on stage.

Actor Abhishek Bachchan appears on stage.

Nora Fatehi on stage at the IIFA Awards 2022 in Abu Dhabi.

Nora Fatehi shared the stage with a young dancer, Kashni from Abu Dhabi, who she found via an Instagram scout.

Fatehi also debuted her new song ‘Dirty Little Secrets’ in Abu Dhabi.

Filmmaker Vishnuvardhan’s film ‘Shershaah’ won both Best Director and Best Picture.

Anurag Basu won Best Original Story for ‘Ludo’.

Sai Tamhankar with her award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the film ‘Mimi’.

Pankaj Tripathi won Best Supporting Actor for his role in ‘Ludo’.

Kriti Sanon received the Best Actress for her role in the film ‘Mimi’.

Vicky Kaushal with his Best Actor for his role in ‘Sardar Udham’.

Abhishek Bachchan began his performance with the song ‘Indiawale’.

Abhishek Bachchan performs. His was one of the most well-received performances of the night.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Aaradhya dancing as they watch Abhishek Bachchan perform.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and daughter Aaradhya enjoy Abhishek’s performance on the front row.

Ananya Panday performs.

Actress Sara Ali Khan performs.

Abhishek Bachchan performs.

Ananya Panday’s first ever live performance didn’t seem like one. She aced it like a seasoned performer.

Sara Ali Khan delivered a high-energy set on stage.

For his performance, Shahid Kapoor made his entrance with the song ‘Yaad Aa Raha Hai’ via a small platform above the audience.

Kapoor’s performance was a tribute to Bollywood singer and composer Bappi Lahiri, who died in February.

Kapoor also pulled actress Ananya Panday from the audience.

Lahiri was known for introducing Bollywood to disco and electronic music. For Kapoor’s performance, the Etihad Arena was converted into a disco hall.

Kapoor was also joined by Nora Fatehi for a song.

Kapoor’s tribute to Lahiri was the final performance of the night.