The 16th Videocon D2H IIFA Weekend and the S-CROSS IIFA Awards kicked off today in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia with the brightest stars from Indian cinema holding centre stage and the sun-inspired trophy held aloft as the stars declared the IIFA as the “most glittering and sought after tribute to great cinema”. Global media from across 5 continents converged on the JW Marriott, Kuala Lumpur to catch the live action from the IIFA Celebrations as the city of Kuala Lumpur opened its arms and welcomed the Indian Film fraternity to an action packed, glitzy entertainment extravaganza.
In attendance at the Videocon D2H IIFA Weekend are some of the most prolific personalities of the Indian Film Industry, the corporate world, dignitaries from India and the region, world media and Indian Cinema fans from across the globe. Like every year, the Videocon D2H IIFA Weekend will showcase star-studded, entertainment packed events and associations. Eminent Bollywood Stars like Deepika Padukone, Priyanka Chopra, Sridevi, Anil Kapoor, Farhan Akhtar, Hrithik Roshan, Shahid Kapoor, Sonakshi Sinha, Ranveer Singh, Arjun Kapoor, Parineeti Chopra, Ayushmann Khurrana, Shraddha Kapoor, Riteish Deshmukh, Vivek Oberoi, are some of the many stars and celebrities participating in the world’s biggest Indian Film Awards show.
Sabbas Joseph, Director, Wizcraft Entertainment International said, “It’s a great feeling to return to this wonderful country after 13 years. Kuala Lumpur is an incredible city and the sincere and whole-hearted welcome that we have received is heart-warming. This Weekend will showcase some of the most impeccable talent that the Indian Film Industry has on an international stage and we are confident that this year’s celebrations will be as grand and spectacular as always.”
S-CROSS is the new Premium Crossover from Maruti Suzuki, coming soon, and will be revealed to the audience on the IIFA Awards stage.
Said Raj Nayak, CEO, COLORS, “it’s a momentous occasion for us to be presenting IIFA 2015 on our channel. While IIFA brings the world together, COLORS will ensure that viewers all across the globe are a party to this grand celebration. We thank the people of Malaysia for opening their hearts to us as we prepare to bring alive this spectacle of mammoth scale in the country”
In support of IIFA, Tony Nagamaiah, General Manager of Malaysia Major Events said, “Today marks the start to the most anticipated weekend in Kuala Lumpur and the excitement from both local and regional fans is absolutely overwhelming. The IIFA Weekend 2015 is an outstanding addition to the calendar of events for our national campaign, the Malaysia Year of Festivals (MyFEST) 2015. The weekend is set to attract approximately 4,000 internationals from all around the world with an estimated tourist expenditure of RM35 million to the country. The entire Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Malaysia is dedicated to make this prominent occasion a success while we ardently welcome among the biggest stars in Bollywood, friends and fans of the IIFA celebrations to Kuala Lumpur.”
Long-time friend & supporter of IIFA, International Actor, Anil Kapoor said, “I’m very pleased to welcome you to the 16th IIFA celebrations here in the wonderful city of Kuala Lumpur. The Indian Film Fraternity looks forward every year to the IIFA Weekend as it’s the grandest celebration of Indian Cinema and a chance for all of us to recognize the great work that has been accomplished in the year. IIFA has created a huge phenomenon since its inception in 2000 and it’s incredible to be a part of this wonderful journey.”
Day 1 of the IIFA weekend – 5thJune,will witness two major events this year: The FICCI IIFA Global Business Forum and IIFA Rocks. Celebrating IIFA’s return to Malaysia, the FICCI-IIFA Global Business Forum 2015, set the stage for business leaders from India and Malaysia to mutually explore opportunities in the two geographies.
IIFA ROCKS, at the Istana Budaya, is being hosted by popular Bollywood stars, Ayushmann Khurrana and Parineeti Chopra. The audience will get the once in a lifetime opportunity to see spectacular performances by Sonakshi Sinha, Mika, Nakash, Jacqueline Fernandez, Aditi Rao Hydari, Lisa Hayden, Lauren Gottlieb, Javed Ali, AnkitTiwari, KanikaKapoor, Nooran sisters and Malaika Arora to name a few. In addition to the performances, the IIFA Technical Awards will be presented at the IIFA Rocks celebration.
Day 2 of the Videocon d2h IIFA Weekend features a screening of the highly anticipated movie, ‘DilDhadakne Do’ as well as the IIFA Fashion Extravaganza. The ensemble cast includes Ranveer Singh, Anushka Sharma, Priyanka Chopra, Farhan Akhtar, Anil Kapoor and Shefali Shah. Dil Dhadakne Do is directed by Zoya Akhtar and produced by Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar from Excel Entertainment and Junglee Pictures.
A major highlight of the Videocon D2H IIFA Weekend, the IIFA Fashion Extravaganza would be hosted by Neha Dhupia and Vivek Oberoi. The extravagant Fashion showcase would feature renowned designers, Masaba Gupta, Gaurang Shah and Rocky S. The showstoppers for this lifestyle showcase include Bipasha Basu, Dia Mirza, Aditi Rao Hydari, Kriti Sannon, Mika Singh, Aftab Shivdasani and Huma Qureshi among others.
Day 3 will witnessthe IIFA Music Workshop and the spectacular S-CROSS IIFA Awards Ceremony. The IIFA Music Workshop led by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy will see the audience come together to create a unique musical masterpiece on the spot – LIVE. The S-CROSS IIFA Awards ceremony,
hosted by ‘Gunday duo’, ArjunKapoor and Ranveer Singh, known for their camaraderie will surely captivate the fans. The audience will also see stellar performances by the biggest superstars of Bollywood Hrithik Roshan, Anil Kapoor, Ranveer Singh-Arjun Kapoor, Shahid Kapoor, Sonakshi Sinha, Parineeti Chopra, Shraddha Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra-Farhan Akhtar and Riteish Deshmukh-Pulkit Samrat.
AnirudhDhoot, Director, Videocon said, “Videocon’s association with IIFA is now in its seventh year. Our association with IIFA began on the foundation of mutual trust, commitment to quality and acknowledging the best. Today IIFA awards have established themselves as the best Bollywood awards in the country. Both, IIFA and Videocon d2h, believe in delivering excellence in the field of entertainment and adding variety to entertainment as a whole. Our recent listing on the Nasdaq stock exchange, bears testimony to our global outlook & tremendous growth. IIFA has proved to be a very good opportunity for us and we would like to take this association further”
Fans of IIFA and Indian Cinema can also participate through #IIFA’s assets across#Fame,Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Youtube and multiple other innovative platforms in a live environment. Millions of fans will have a chance to steal a first-look at the IIFA events and green carpets as they unfold. The behind the scenes excitement will take centre stage like never seen before. The Instagram’s Anti-gravity booth will also capture the Bollywood brigade live.
The S-CROSS IIFA AWARDS and the IIFA ROCKS will be broadcast for the first time on India’s leading hindi entertainment channel, Colors Viacom18.
