News DeskAbu Dhabi, UAE – The International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) has unveiled its plans for the upcoming IIFA 2023 awards ceremony, featuring special awards and highlights celebrating Indian cinema’s achievements. This prestigious event will take place at Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, and promises to be a star-studded affair.
Kamal Haasan to Receive ‘Outstanding Achievement in Indian Cinema’ Award
Kamal Haasan, a legendary figure in Indian cinema, will be honored with the ‘Outstanding Achievement in Indian Cinema’ award. With a career spanning decades, Kamal Haasan has excelled as an actor, filmmaker, screenplay writer, playback singer, and TV host, leaving an indelible mark on various Indian film industries, including Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi, and Bengali.
Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia D’Souza Recognized for ‘Outstanding Achievement in Regional Cinema’
Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia D’Souza, a beloved couple on and off the screen, will be celebrated for their ‘Outstanding Achievement in Regional Cinema.’ Riteish Deshmukh, known for his versatile acting, launched his own production house, Mumbai Film Company, and ventured into Marathi cinema, achieving tremendous success with films like ‘Lai Bhaari’ and ‘Mauli.’
Manish Malhotra Honored for ‘Outstanding Achievement in Fashion in Cinema’
Renowned fashion designer Manish Malhotra will be recognized for his ‘Outstanding Achievement in Fashion in Cinema.’ Manish Malhotra, a trendsetter in costume design, introduced styling concepts in Indian cinema through his work in films like ‘Rangeela.’ He has also expanded his influence with his eponymous label and other ventures in the fashion industry.
Partnerships and Sponsorships
The Sobha IIFA Weekend and NEXA Awards are partnered by Miral and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi). NEXA, in its seventh consecutive year as the title sponsor, continues its collaboration with IIFA. Sobha Realty joins as the title sponsor of the IIFA Weekend for the first time.
Shashank Srivastava, Senior Executive Officer, Marketing and Sales, Maruti Suzuki India Limited, highlighted the importance of NEXA’s association with IIFA, emphasizing the shared commitment to creating unique and inspiring global experiences.
Ravi Menon, Co-Chairman of Sobha Realty, expressed excitement about being the title sponsor and recognized the cultural significance of Indian cinema.
Star-Studded Performances and Awards
The 2023 NEXA IIFA Awards and Sobha Realty IIFA Rocks will feature live performances by Bollywood’s biggest stars, including Salman Khan, Varun Dhawan, Kriti Sanon, Jacqueline Fernandez, Rakul Preet Singh, and Nora Fatehi. Abhishek Bachchan and Vicky Kaushal will host the main awards, while Farah Khan and Rajkummar Rao will host IIFA Rocks.
The event will also announce winners in nine technical award categories and present awards in 12 popular categories, in addition to showcasing music and dance performances.
Be Water+ve Initiative
In response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for civil society participation, IIFA has launched the Be Water+ve initiative in partnership with AquaKraft Foundation. This initiative aims to raise awareness about water conservation and implement interventions in disadvantaged villages to promote water positivity.
The initiative received support from actors Rajkummar Rao and Rakul Preet Singh, who pledged their commitment to the cause.
Promoting Environmental Consciousness
Dia Mirza, Goodwill Ambassador, United Nations Environment Programme, and United Nations Secretary-General’s SDG Advocate, emphasized the importance of adopting an environmentally conscious lifestyle to address pressing global issues such as plastic waste and pollution.
