Star bug
Crazy Bollywood fans flocked Kuala lumpur from all over the globe to meet their favourite stars
Be it from Kenya, Bangladesh or India, die-hard fans of Bollywood stars like Anil Kapoor, Hrithik Roshan and Priyanka Chopra flew from their home countries just to get a glimpse of their favourite celebrities at the 16th edition of International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Weekend and Awards. With a bag on his back and curiosity in his eyes, 24-year-old Alamin from Bangladesh stood at the heavily-guarded lobby of JW Marriott, wondering which Bollywood star will greet fans.
“I love Bollywood. The stories are very good. I love Salman Khan, SRK (Shah Rukh Khan), Priyanka Chopra and Sonakshi Sinha,” said the fan, who is a student of risk management. like the other admirers, he was happy to be able to click a selfie with stars like Hrithik Roshan and Kriti Sanon. “I’ve already uploaded photographs on Facebook,” Alamin said.
A fan of Bollywood since 2007, he doesn’t think that spending “a lot of money” on the travel and accommodation for event as grand as the three-day extravaganza is a waste. “After all you get an opportunity to meet your favourite stars,” he said. A couple from Kenya was also part of the fans gathered at the venue. “We have been married for 26 years and watch Bollywood films together. Bollywood shows reality... What’s happening in the society, unlike Hollywood. So, we love Bollywood,” said Shafique, who has a “passion to meet celebrities”.
Graced by stars like Arjun Kapoor, Sonakshi, Priyanka and Anil, IIFA is giving a chance to several such fans to meet the stars. There are fans from India, too. “I have travelled from Hyderabad to meet the stars. I know I’m from India, but you don’t easily get to meet them. IIFA lets audiences in,” said Nandita, 24, who is there with her family. Another Indian, New Delhi-based Neeru Aggarwal, 53, agreed with Nandita, and said, “A lot of events take place in Delhi, but it’s not possible to meet celebrities. IIFA, on the other hand, is open to the public.”
That’s adorable
Hrithik Roshan can teach one a few tips to impress women, even if it’s your sister or mother. The actor took some time at the IIFA Weekend to surprise his sister. He launched her book, To Dad With love, at IIFA and surprised her by making a video call to her. Overwhelmed by his sweet gesture, his sister thanked the crowd for appreciating her book. “My sister took it upon herself the task to make my father speak on the chapters of his life. He has always been an inexpressive person. The book was a way to show my father how much we love him. His never-say-die spirit and his giving attitude have always inspired me. I want to take this book to as many people as possible and therefore decided to speak about it at this platform” said the actor, who spared a few moments to sign special copies of the book.
Track her notes
Priyanka Chopra has been lauded by many for her singing skills, but she feels shy about it and credits actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar for encouraging her to sing. She has collaborated with international musicians like Pitbull and Will.i.am, but she is still shy about singing. “I am shy about my singing. Farhan Akhtar has been encouraging me to sing since we were shooting Don. He is one of the first to encourage me to sing. We used to jam together,” Priyanka said after the screening of Dil Dhadakne Do. The duo has even sung the title track of Dil Dhadakne Do together. “I don’t compete with him. I wish I had the guts to do rock shows like him,” she said.