Mumbai, June 13: Come June 22 and Thailand will rock to IIFA Rocks 2018 – the 19th edition of the NEXA IIFA Awards – in celebration of Indian Cinema, Fashion and Dance. The three-day event is being held in partnership with Hindi entertainment channel – COLORS – and will be hosted by Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana and Karthik Aaryan.
Legendary Bollywood superstar Rekha was joined by actors Varun Dhawan, Bobby Deol, Kriti Sanon and Ayushmann Khurrana at the press conference to highlight the Indian International Film Academy event in Bangkok. Sabbas Joseph, Director, Wizcraft, told mediapersons here that Rekha ‘s performance in IIFA Bangkok was expected to evoke nostalgia and a rare treat for fans.
“IIFA is held in different countries for its 800-900 million audience across 120 countries and our filmstars are leading the style quotient,” Joseph said, adding “In 2007, IIFA was an opportunity to talk to the world and changed from a “Red Carpet” to “Green carpet” for the protection of the environment where we have a partnership with the United Nations. Our focus is on issues like Nirbhaya and the “Power of 99” campaign of women, besides using the IIFA awards platform to campaign about “Barabari Gharse Shuru.”
Gunjan Soni, Head, Jabong and CMO-Myntra, said one of the six nominees – Jacqueline Fernandez, Shahid Kapoor, Shraddha Kapoor, Kartik Aryan, Disha Patni and Kriti Sanon – would be chosen by voters via the Myntra App for the “Style Icon of the Year” Award presented at the IIFA Awards in Bangkok.
The event’s grand finale will feature performances by Bollywood megastars Ranbir Kapoor, Shahid Kapoor, Varun Dhawan, Arjun Kapoor, Bobby Deol, Shraddha Kapoor, Kriti Sanon and Lulia Vantur. Anupam Kher will be presented the prestigious ‘IIFA Award for Outstanding Achievement in Indian Cinema’ at the ceremony in Thailand.
The press scrum witnessed some rib-tickling and witty repartees among the actors onstage as they gently teased one another. Actor Varun Dhawan — while mentioning that legendary actress Rekha would be performing onstage after 20 years – suddenly turned to her and said “What song will you be dancing to in Bangkok?”
“What song do you want,” Rekha queried, to which Dhawan replied “Pardesiya?” Pat came the reply. “Not happening,” replied the actress.
“Around 25 years have passed since I last did a film shooting in Bangkok,” said the actress, while noting that she was looking forward to a forthcoming ‘ethereally’ wonderful performance in the IIFA Bangkok, which was expected to be an unforgettable, magical and once-in-a-lifetime experience for Indian cinema fans worldwide.
To questions about Priyanka Chopra being criticized for the controversial Indian terrorists episode in the television serial ‘Quantico” and how important it was for an actor to play any character, Varun Dhawan said “You are following a director’s script and so whatever you do, backlash will follow. Priyanka Chopra has done a fantastic role in Quantico.”
Describing the film “Race III” songs as “kamaal ke,” Bobby Deol said he was looking forward to performing some of his old and new hits in IIFA Bangkok. “Salman Khan is an angel in my life and no one does so much as he does for anyone.”, he said. Ayushmann Khuranna said he had an amazing journey with the organisers Wizcraft.
To a question, Kriti Sanon said while she enjoyed performing and dancing, she remained a huge fan of Madhuri Dixit. “I used to try and copy her moves, but no one moves with such grace as Madhuri does – dancing with her face and body,” she said.