This year’s edition offers not just a spectacle but is crusading for gender rights and the environment, says Team Viva
At a time when the International Indian Film and Academy (IIFA) Weekend and Awards lacked big-time endorsement, this year’s edition is a conscious effort to revive its multi-starrer aura with A-lister appearances. So this edition is expected to see livewire acts by Priyanka Chopra, Ranbir Kapoor, Shahid Kapoor, Varun Dhawan, Alia Bhatt, Tiger Shroff, Disha Patani and fresh faces like Kartik Aaryan. Of course, there is the all-pervasive showman called Karan Johar to hold the proceedings together in Bangkok. And in a first, IIFA seeks to restore gender parity by naming the Best Actress award as the finale act.
The A-team unveiled more at a press conference in Delhi. Asked about his performance at IIFA this year, Ranbir quipped, “I don’t know about a big performance, we usually leave that to Karan Johar’s sangeet performances. I am extremely excited about it though as the first time I danced on stage was for the IIFA awards in Singapore. Bangkok is the place where I won my first IIFA award. So, I am looking forward to it, I haven’t decided upon the tracks yet.” He added that he had a lot of fun during his first performance. Shahid was also there as well and his performance was choreographed by ace dancer and choreographer Prabhu Deva. “It was an honour to be choreographed by him, he is amazing. Shahid and me had a lot of fun in Singapore.”
Ranbir also spoke about stage fright at live shows. “I get really nervous when I dance at live shows; dancing for films is different as there are retakes and in live acts there is only one take. So you have to give your best and I rehearse more to give my best. I have seen Shahid performing over the years and he is impeccable on stage.” It is Kartik's first time at this award show and he was asked whose performance he was looking forward to. “Both Shahid and Ranbir are fantastic performers and if Karan sir would be performing, it would have been really good. I am looking forward to his hosting session as well. I am excited to be part of it and hosting IIFA Rocks this year.”
IIFA promises not just Bollywood’s glitz and glamour but support to environmental causes and cinema memorabilia too. The gala will be held June 22-24 at the Siam Niramit Theatre, which is adorned by Thailand’s heritage, art and culture and hosts the country’s most-popular theatre production. Wizcraft International, the producers and creators of the IIFA, are gearing up to put up a Bollywood entertainment show interspersed with cultural elements from Thailand.The main awards gala on the last day will be hosted by the inimitable Riteish Deshmukh and Karan Johar, both known for their quick wit. The IIFA Rocks, a musical night which precedes the IIFA Awards ceremony night, will be co-hosted by Ayushmann Khurrana and Katrik Aaryan. Adding a unique charm to the event will be composer Pritam. “He is doing a very interesting piece using a lot of local Thail musicians and instruments,” Andre Timmins, director Wizcraft International, said.
Apart from the visual spectacle they intend to offer, they IIFA has tied up with UN Environment for the campaign “Beat Plastic Pollution”, the theme for World Environment Day 2018. Actress Dia Mirza, the UN Environment goodwill ambassador for India, will front this. Dia said, “I have been gifted this amazing privilege of having some amount of influence on people and if I can use that privilege to make a positive change then it’s a blessing.” They have also partnered with Woosh Washing Expert to support the cause of equality at home — Barabari Ghar Se Shuru, which will raise awareness for women empowerment and gender equality.
Additionally, with an aim to preserve cinema heritage, this year IIFA Foundation will be collaborating with Osian’s auction house to showcase vintage cinema memorabilia at an exhibition event. last year, Karan Johar’s “Nepotism rocks” stunt on the stage sparked a controversy in Bollywood. Are they going to be more careful about the show’s script this timeIJ “ Every year is different,” Timmins said.