Lara, Riteish and Boman to host IIFA

After successfully hosting the IIFAs last year in Macau, the trio consisting of Lara Dutta, Riteish Deshmukh and Boman Irani will be hosting the award ceremony to be held in Sri Lanka in June next month.

The three stars were present at a press conference held this afternoon when the announcement was made.

“This year will be my fifth where I will be hosting the IIFAs. Everyone has seen what an amazing event it is. There is a lot of hard work that goes behind it and we are tremendously honoured to be a part of this family. And we are extremely excited to bring our brand of wit and wisdom to Colombo,” says Lara.

Boman who is known for his humour and rapport with his co-hosts says his association with IIFAs goes back six years now. “My first IIFA was in Singapore in 2004 and the six years that I have attended it I had a huge family and now I have a great extended family,” says Irani.

Also speaking about hosting the IIFA weekend in June, Riteish Deshmukh says he is looking to extend his three years as host. “It’s a great association and this is the third year that I am hosting the IIFAs. The IIFAs are has been and is an extended family to us. We are proud to be associated with the Micromax IIFA Awards and the Videocon IIFA Weekend.”

“We plan to do things that we have always done. Pull our friends’ legs and generally have a fun filled weekend. It’s an opportunity for the industry to get together under one roof and have a good time. And that’s what will happen this time too. The script is to have fun,” adds Deshmukh.

The IIFA Weekend will be held in Colombo from June 2 to 5. The weekend will consist of a fashion show, a charity cricket match, a world film premiere and the actual awards ceremony.

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IN PICS: Salman Khan Promotes IIFA

Credits: AFP/NDTV

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When will IIFA awards 2009 be aired on TV

We continue to receive many email’s asking when the IIFA awards 2009, held in Macau (China), be aired on Television.

Well, the Star Network has the official rights for the 10th Idea IIFA Awards. The mega event will be aired on Star Plus on Sunday, July 5th 2009.

What to look forward to at the IIFA Awards?

* Star performances - Bipasha Basu, Anushkha Sharma, Sonam Kapoor, Jackky Bhagnani, Govinda, Ritesh Deshmukh, Sushmita Sen. Ash and Abhishek too will be performing.

* There is a fun filled antakshari session, as the world gets to watch Hrithik Roshan sing!

* Apart from the main awards, there will also be awards for the Decade.

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Ashutosh Gowariker blasted hosts Riteish and Boman Irani at the IIFA awards

Ashutosh Gowariker has done it again. After a verbal spat with hosts Sajid and Farah Khan at an awards ceremony, he had another run-in with Riteish Deshmukh and Boman Irani, who were hosting an international film award function held over the weekend.

It is learnt that the Jodhaa Akbar director took objection to a skit they did on stage. Although the hosts did take-offs on many films, Gowariker was the only one who took objection to their act.

Says an eyewitness, "Riteish and Boman did a spoof on all the films which were nominated in the best film category Race, Jodhaa Akbar, Dostana, Rock On, Ghajini and A Wednesday. For the Jodhaa Akbar act, Boman played Akbar while a starlet played Jodha. Riteish walked in dressed as Amitabh Bachchan in Shahenshah.

When Boman asked Riteish who he was, the latter replied, 'Rishte mein tumhare baap lagte hai, lekin naam hai Shahenshah' to which Boman said, 'Tum Shahenshah toh main kaun hoon?' It was not at all offensive." There was another skit on Anil Kapoor at the Oscars and Ashutosh at the Oscar for Lagaan. Ashu took objection to that too."

The source further adds, "Ashutosh didn't like the act and stormed into the green room in the middle of the show and lectured Riteish and Boman about poking fun at people and films. He asked the hosts: "How come you guys don't make fun of SRK and Bachchan's films?' When Ritiesh reminded him about the Drona spoof (Abhishek came on stage and applauded them) the director then turned his ire at the organisers.

He told them that he would go on stage and question people if these kind of jokes should be made at award functions. The organisers had to plead with him not to make a scene since it was an international event and would reflect badly on the fraternity, but his tirade continued and he demanded an apology from the organisers too."

Everyone was taken aback by his over reaction. He was heard cribbing to people: "Just because he is a minister's son, he thinks he can get away with it?"

However Riteish stood upto Ashu. The source continues, "He told Ashu that he should learn to take a joke and develop a sense of humour rather than take everything personally. Even Boman snapped and questioned Ashu how come he had never raised an objection when SRK made jokes as a host. The organisers are now considering not inviting Ashu for future events."

Ashutosh and Riteish were unavailable for comment.

FACT
Amitabh Bachchan wrote on his blog:Boman Irani and Riteish Deshmukh,were hilarious and outstanding.

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IDEA IIFA Outstanding Contribution Award

The star-studded night of 10th IDEA IIFA Awards will see Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Oscar winner AR Rahman receive the special IDEA IIFA Award for Outstanding Contribution by an Indian in International Cinema at Macau on June 13th. Mr. Pradeep Shrivastava, Chief Marketing Officer of Idea Cellular, the presenting sponsor of the 10th IDEA IIFA Awards made this announcement here today.

The IDEA IIFA Awards ceremony will see electrifying performances by Anoushka Sharma, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Sonam Kapoor, Abhishek Bachchan, Lara Dutta and Riteish Deshmukh.

Leading designers like Rocky S, Manav Gangwani, Anamika Khanna, Farah Ali Khan and Hong Kong designer, Chris Chang will showcase their designs at IIFA Fashion Extravaganza on Day 2 of IIFA Weekend. The Extravaganza will feature show stoppers like Hrithik and Suzanne Roshan for Farah Ali Khan and the always-chic Sonam Kapoor for Anamika Khanna amongst others. The IIFA Fashion Extravaganza will be hosted by the stylish duo, Zayed Khan and Sophie Choudhury. Adding glamour to the evening, international singing sensation, Peter Andre will perform at the IIFA Fashion Extravaganza held at The Venetian® Macao-Resort-Hotel.

Following the IIFA Fashion Extravaganza is the exhilarating IDEA IIFA Awards that will showcase the best of the best that the Indian Film Fraternity has to offer.

The IIFA Fashion Extravaganza has a special significance as it supports the IIFA Foundation which was set up in 2003. It is a charity organization set up by IIFA to support families of the film industry workers who have been adversely affected during the production of films. Each year at the IIFA Weekend, IIFA hosts charity celebrity events that are supported by eminent cine stars.

Wizcraft International Entertainment Ltd. Director, Sabbas Joseph said, “The IIFA Foundation was initiated to support families of Indian film industry workers. We will host the IIFA Fashion Extravaganza to showcase the best of Indian and Chinese fashion, while contributing to a cause that we feel strongly about. The IIFA Fashion Extravaganza receives overwhelming support every year, and once again top designers have lined up to stand by this significant initiative. The IDEA IIFA Awards ceremony at CotaiArena will be the grand finale of the weekend.”

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Pradeep Shrivastava, Chief Marketing Officer, Idea Cellular said, “IDEA IIFA Awards offer a unique platform to showcase the significance of mobile technology in the entertainment arena. Our relationship with IIFA will facilitate a unique experience for our customers by bringing them the IDEA IIFA Awards, for another 3 years. This year, we look forward to the IIFA Fashion Extravaganza that will set the tone for the glamorous Awards night.”

IIFA’s longest standing partner, IDEA Cellular will offer a range of value added services and exciting contests for over 44 million subscribers across the country.

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About IDEA Cellular Ltd.:

IDEA Cellular Ltd. is a leading GSM mobile services operator with over 44 million subscribers, under brand IDEA. It has licenses and spectrum to operate in all 22 service areas of India, with commercial operations in 17 service areas, currently. IDEA is listed on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) in India.

IDEA Cellular is an Aditya Birla Group Company, India’s first truly multinational corporation. The group operates in 25 countries, and is anchored by over 125,000 employees belonging to 25 nationalities.

About IIFA

The International Indian Film Academy, conceptualized and produced by Wizcraft International Entertainment Pvt. Ltd.is supported by the key members of the Indian film fraternity. IIFA is the most respected South Asian film academy and its main highlight, the IIFA Awards is India's biggest media event. With a viewership of almost 600 million worldwide, the IIFAs are among the world's most-watched annual entertainment events.

From a one night celebration in 2000 at the Millennium Dome, London, the last nine years have seen the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) movement grow into a cine-packed weekend of film-festivals, workshops, exhibitions, film-showcases, global business forums and sporting events, all of which climaxes into the IIFA Awards. The IIFAs have been celebrated in London, Sun City, Johannesburg, Singapore, Malaysia, Dubai, Amsterdam, Yorkshire and the last edition was hosted by Thailand in the amazing city of Bangkok. This year, IIFA celebrates its 10th anniversary scheduled for June 2009 at The Venetian® Macao-Resort-Hotel in China. IIFA 2009 vows to be a virtuoso, enthralling Weekend; while the IIFA Awards will seek celebrate A Golden Decade in Indian Cinema.

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Bollywood to bring on the heat at Macau

IIFA 2009 is just around the corner! With the schedule for the much-awaited event out now, it looks like Bollywood is going to make its mark in Macau, the picturesque place which is host to the 10th year of the IIFA awards.

Amitabh, Abhishek, AishwaryaComedy kings Boman Irani and Riteish Deshmukh would be hosting the event, in co-ordination with the beautiful Lara Dutta. Each of them we know as top class communicators. Lara we know as a great orator, and is witty. And when it comes to witty and humourours, Boman and Riteish have established their ground in this space.

The event organizers are all set to have a lot of drama on the stage. On one hand, they have Aishwarya Rai-Bachchhan - who created waves dancing to the tunes of Kajra Re at IIFA 2005 at Amsterdam. And where Ash is, Abhi would surely follow! Maybe Pa and Ma should join in and create the Kajra Re magic again. And on the other hand, the surprise element comes with someone who is going to make her stage debut at the event… none other than the Delhi 6 gal Sonam Kapoor! We hope all the Cannes catfights will be forgiven and forgotten. The drama that we can forsee cant get better than this - Kareena Kapoor is scheduled to perform a belly dance to a Turkish-Arabian song. And guess who will also be on stage - the very spoken about love birds Priyanka Chopra-Shahid Kapoor are to perform to a song from their upcoming film Kaminey.

The other highlight of the event is a special award that has been added by IIFA to commemorate the completion of a decade – The Videocon IIFA Golden Decade Honours. Five different categories have been made for the same, including Star of the Decade (Male and Female), Movie of the Decade, Music of the Decade and Director of the Decade, so as to honour the best of Bollywood over the past 10 years.

Speaking about the occasion, IIFA Brand Ambassador Amitabh Bachchhan says, “I am delighted to see IIFA celebrate its 10th year. The Indian and international reception to IIFA has grown over the years, cementing its position as a significant larger than life phenomenon. This year at IDEA IIFA Awards, we pay tribute to the greats of Indian cinema through the Lifetime Achievement Awards and the Videocon Golden Decade Honours. We are committed to presenting the talent India has to offer, while giving audiences a chance to experience their film favourites.”

We look forward to a spectacular show of Bollywood at Macau soon, as always!

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Riteish, Boman to host IIFA

Every year IIFA sees a host of Indian celebrities as well as international film personalities attending the IIFA Weekend.

This year also it will be no different; the presence of the Bachchans along with superstar Hrithik Roshan, Shahid Kapoor, Neil Nitin Mukesh, pretty Kangana Ranaut, ravishing Priyanka Chopra and sexy Lara Dutta, renowned director Subash Ghai amongst others will make the Videocon IIFA Weekend 2009 special and a wonderful experience for one and all.

Keeping the last year’s trend alive this year too Ritiesh and Boman are all set to take the main stage as hosts to the Idea IIFA Awards and tickle the funny bones with their antics that was loved by the industry and the audience as well. The 10th Idea IIFA Awards promises electrifying stage performances with Sonam Kapoor making her debut and Kareena Kapoor. Internationally renowned actor John Terry and Frank Lamberti will also grace the occasion.

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