What to expect at the IIFA this year

The International Indian Film Academy is a first-of-its-kind effort to promote Indian cinema globally, thus reaching out to millions of its fans. An annual event, it honours its talents with an awards night show fun-filled with performances from various artists to represent not only their work, but also to promote Bollywood on alien shores.

IIFA AwardsPREVIOUSLY, starting with the Millennium Dome, London, IIFA has traveled through Sun City, Malaysia, Johannesburg, Singapore, Amsterdam, Dubai, and Yorkshire. This year the gala event is being held in Macau.

What is the schedule of the event?

The International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) will unfurl in the exotic locale of The Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel in Macau, China. The 10th edition of IIFA will be held at the picturesque resort during June 11 – 13, 2009.

Which Celebs are NOT attending IIFA?

Here’s the lowdown first, superstars Shahrukh Khan, and Akshay Kumar, have both used the family vacation bahana to not show up at the awards function event. A source close to the Kumar family reveals, Akki had worked out his summer vacation schedule to make time for his son Aarav, and despite the organizers promising both heaven and earth, Akshay will not budge.”

We smell a rat there. Seems, like the previous IIFA events in the past, which have become a Bachchan parivaar extravaganza, none of the major stars want to be over-shadowed by the luminaries.

Take the case of Shahrukh Khan, who has been quoted in the media, being non-committal to his presence at the show.

Who is attending? You must have guessed by now!

Which Celebs have backed out of their IIFA performance?

Bebolicious Kareena Kapoor was supposed to perform Marjani from Billu at the IIFA 2009 ceremony, but she has reportedly dumped the idea. Why you ask?

She obviously wanted to be the event opener and the one to close it with her dhamakedaar performances but since Big B is the brand ambassador and the key performance spots are booked for the khaandaan, she had to re-think her decision.

She decided to jump out of the fray and join beau Saif Ali Khan to watch the T20 event in England. IIFA show organizers have surely been fed a healthy dose of Bebo-ism.

After Bebo, ex beau Shahid Kapur, followed suit. Since his break-up with Priyanka, they too have decided not to perform at the event, where they were supposed to be the hottest item on the menu.

They were due to do a medley number on their Kaminay numbers, which would have been a treat.

"I was looking forward to performing at IIFA and showcasing Kaminay. However, my commitment to my producer has to be honored. I regret being unable to attend this year, " Shahid quoted in a statement.

Producers of the show have been sorely missing on masala this year.

What to look forward to tomorrow?

We will tell you who is performing apart from the Bachchans. Which film will unveil its first look at IIFA?

Find out, as StarBoxOffice brings you that and all the gossip tomorrow.

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After Priyanka, Shahid Kapoor bows out of IIFA

Close on the heels of Priyanka Chopra's exit from this year's IIFA, her co-star from 'Kaminey', Shahid Kapoor too has pulled out from the upcoming award ceremony citing shooting commitments.

The 'Jab We Met' actor was to perform with Chopra on the title track of the Vishal Bhardwaj film, but since the schedule of IIFA was clashing with the dates committed to a producer he decided to miss the ceremony, which starts from June 11 in Macau (China).

"I was looking forward to performing at IIFA and showcasing Kaminey, however my commitment to my producer has to be honoured," said Shahid Kapoor in a statement.

The dates could not be adjusted as Kaminey, Pathshala & Yashraj Films untitled are ready for release and there is patchwork shoot remaining for Ken Ghosh's untitled film, said the statement.

Earlier, Kareena Kapoor too had pulled out of the show. She had reportedly been practising for her performance and had also decided on her costume, but bowed out at the last moment to be with boyfriend Saif Ali Khan in London.

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Shahid and Priyanka not to perform together

Priyanka Chopra and Shahid Kapoor are the most talked about couple of late and both have neither denied nor clarified any reports of their link-up, leaving a huge room for speculation about their alleged relationship.

The couple seems reluctant on keeping their relationship private considering the two wont be performing together at the IIFA 2009. The news came as a surprise as according to our source the two had slated to perform together to promote their film ‘Kaminey’ and had ever started to rehearse but eventually decided to let Shahid go solo.

Director of Wizkraft Viraf Sarkari said, “Priyanka and Shahid both had never confirmed that they will be performing together. It was always Shahid who had confirmed his act so there is nothing more than what meets the eye here.”

Priyanka's manager Natasha clarified, "Priyanka had not planned to perform with Shahid and there were no rehearsals that had happened. Priyanka is in Singapore busy shooting for Yash Raj's 'Pyaar Impossible' for the past few weeks. She will thus attend the IIFA in Bangkok but will not perform.

Shahid’s Publicists NINE WINDS MEDIA & ENTERTAINMENT PVT. LTD revealed, “Shahid Kapoor will be performing at the 2009 IIFA awards presentation in the special showcasing of the film Kaminey. The performance will be a solo act, and not with Priyanka Chopra, the lead heroine of the film, as has been reported earlier by some agencies. Shahid is going to be performing on the song Dhan Taanaa. The decision to perform at the IIFA was taken late night on June 4th post consultation with Shahid Kapoor, Vishal Bhardwaj and the producers.”

Whatever the reasons may be, we will definitely miss watching the duo shake a leg together at the IIFA.

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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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Priyanka, Shahid to perform at IIFA

The duo may have broken up but they are determined to stick together till the release of ‘Kaminey’. The film is soon to hit the marquee and they are expecting good response from all over. Shahid Kapur and Priyanka Chopra are leaving no stone unturned to promote it.

Keeping all rumors of their tie up, break-up and fights aside, Priyanka Chopra and Shahid Kapur are coming together to perform at the IIFA awards. Sources confirm that the duo will dance to a medley of songs from their film ‘Kaminey’.

The film is much in news for Shahid-Priyanka’s lip-lock and Shahid's dual role.

In the IIFA awards, Akshay and Kareena will also showcase their upcoming film, ‘Kambakkht Ishq’ and will perform in one of the hit numbers.

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