News DeskAbu Dhabi, UAE – The 23rd edition of the International Indian Film Academy and Awards (IIFA) commenced in grand style. Following the remarkable success of IIFA 2022, the 2023 Sobha IIFA Weekend and NEXA IIFA Awards, presented in collaboration with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Miral, have returned to Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, due to popular demand. The prestigious NEXA brand continues as the title sponsor for the seventh consecutive edition of the NEXA IIFA Awards. For the first time, Sobha Realty joins as the title sponsor of the SOBHA IIFA Weekend. The extraordinary IIFA festivities on Yas Island are co-powered by the KUBER Group. The 23rd edition of this celebrated event is scheduled to captivate fans on May 26th and 27th, 2023.
The event is set to take place at the Middle East’s largest state-of-the-art indoor entertainment venue, the Etihad Arena, located within Yas Bay Waterfront on Yas Island. Yas Island is known for its rapid growth as a leisure and entertainment destination, featuring world-renowned theme parks, motorsports, a golf venue, and top-notch hospitality services, making it a unique destination.
The press conference held at W Hotel – Yas Island included appearances from hosts Abhishek Bachchan, Vicky Kaushal, Farah Khan, and Rajkummar Rao, along with performers such as Salman Khan, Rakul Preet Singh, Nora Fatehi, Jacqueline Fernandez, Amit Trivedi, Badshah, Nucleya, Sunidhi Chauhan, and Iulia Vantur. Dignitaries such as PNC Menon, Taghrid Al Saeed, Executive Director of Group Communications and Destination Marketing at Miral, Hans Fraikin – Film and Television Commissioner, and Sandeep Walia also graced the event.
Sobha Realty takes the spotlight as the Title Sponsor of the SOBHA IIFA Weekend, SOBHA IIFA Rocks 2023, and Co-Presenter of the NEXA IIFA Awards, expressing their enthusiasm for being part of the event. In the words of Ravi Menon, Co-chairman of Sobha Realty, “We are delighted to be the title sponsors of the 23rd edition of IIFA Weekend. The event will witness the presence of the who’s who of the Indian film industry with the glitz and glamour that makes Indian cinema widely popular.” Sobha Realty emphasizes the importance of recognizing and celebrating the allure of Indian cinema and its contributors on a global stage.
NEXA from Maruti Suzuki India Limited continues its association as the Title Sponsor of the NEXA IIFA Awards for the seventh consecutive year. Shashank Srivastava, Senior Executive Officer, Marketing and Sales, Maruti Suzuki India, emphasizes the brand’s commitment to creating unique and inspiring experiences for its customers, making the partnership with IIFA a perfect fit.
Kuber Group, the co-power behind the event, expresses its mission of celebrating the fusion of cultural excellence and authentic flavors, highlighting the harmony of art, culture, and gastronomic pleasures through the collaboration.
Other partners joining the event include Ease My Trip as the official travel partner, Yas Island as the Country of Host, W Abu Dhabi as the Official Host Hotel, LuLu as the UAE Promotions Partner, Nabila as the Official Hair and Makeup Partner, Izhaar as the Official Invitation Partner, and High Note as the Official Hospitality partner, offering a range of experiences for visitors.
H.E. Saleh Mohamed Saleh Al Geziry, Director General of Tourism, DCT Abu Dhabi, underlines the significance of hosting the IIFA Awards in Abu Dhabi as it enhances the cultural and economic relationship between Abu Dhabi and India. He also mentions that Abu Dhabi’s role as a setting for Bollywood blockbusters has introduced the world to the beauty of the country.
Taghrid Alsaeed, Executive Director of Group Communication and Destination Marketing, expresses the commitment to positioning Yas Island as a global destination for leisure and entertainment and emphasizes their pursuit of excellence.
The Sobha IIFA Rocks 2023 is set to kick off the celebrations with performances by Amit Trivedi, Badshah, Sunidhi Chauhan, Nucleya, and Sukhbir Singh, and a special showcase by celebrity designer Manish Malhotra.
The Nexa IIFA Awards on May 27th, 2023, will feature hosts Abhishek Bachchan and Vicky Kaushal and performances by Bollywood superstars Salman Khan, Jacqueline Fernandez, Varun Dhawan, Kriti Sanon, Nora Fatehi, and Rakul Preet Singh.
In addition to the awards and performances, the Sobha IIFA weekend offers masterclasses for film enthusiasts and aspiring filmmakers, including ‘Director’s Cut’ sessions with Kabir Khan and Omung Kumar and a session by celebrity hair and makeup artist Nabila.
The green carpet at this year’s event is expected to be graced by many Bollywood stars, including Kamal Haasan, Hrithik Roshan, Alia Bhatt, and many more. The IIFA Awards will be exclusively broadcast on COLORS, India’s No. 1 premium Hindi entertainment channel, with a lineup of star-studded programming.
Nina Elavia Jaipuria, Head – Hindi Mass Entertainment and Kids’ TV Network, Viacom18, expresses their delight in partnering with IIFA to celebrate Indian cinema’s excellence on a global scale, showcasing spectacular performances and glamour to their viewers at COLORS and COLORS Cineplex.
