From all points of view, the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards Ceremony held in Colombo from June 3 to 5, 2010 was a spectacular event, with Bollywood stars and film personalities present in full force.
As well as their presence, the entertainment programme and the Awards Presentation made IIFA 2010 better than its predecessors.
From the truly amazing Bandaranaike International Airport, inexpensive mobile call rates and Internet speed to the friendly people of Sri Lanka, everything was in place for the media to cover the event with higher levels of professionalism.
Radio Tarana listeners and Indian Newslink readers must visit this little country and behold its beauty and tourist attractions.
Organisers said that the Sri Lankan Tourist Board paid at least $US 20,0000 to host the event in Colombo.
I wonder if either New Zealand or Australia would be prepared to pay such a high amount to have this global event.
A lavish fashion show, fun-filled Cricket Match and other items compensated for the absence of megastar Amitabh Bachchan at the three-day event.
Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s 3 Idiots walked away with the Best Film award to no one’s surprise. Amitabh Bachchan was declared winner of the Best Performance in a Leading Role (Male) Award for Paa.
I was delighted to have an informal chat with Sanjay Dutt, who won the Best Comedian Award for All The Best.
Kareena Kapoor, who won the Best Performance in a Leading Role (Female) for 3 Idiots was gorgeous and was happy to pose before my camera.
There are more than 500 photographs and video clippings on Tarana website (www.tarana.co.nz), Facebook and You Tube.
Hemant Parikh and Pawan Rekha Prasad represented Radio Tarana and Indian Newslink at the IIFA 2010 Awards ceremony held in Colombo from June 3 to 5.
The Winners
Best Film: Vidhu Vinod Chopra (3 Idiots); Best Performance in a Leading Role (Male): Amitabh Bachchan (Paa); Best Performance in a Leading Role (Female): Kareena Kapoor (3 Idiots) and Vidya Balan (Paa); Best Direction: Rajkumar Hirani (3 Idiots); Best Performance in a Comic Role: Sanjay Dutt (All The Best); Best Performance in a Negative Role: Boman Irani (3 Idiots); Best Performance in Supporting Role (Male): Sharman Joshi (3 Idiots); Best Performance in Supporting Role (Female): Divya Dutta (Delhi 6); Best Debut of the Year (Male): Omi Vaidya (Jackie Bhagnani); Best Debut of the Year (Female): Jacqueline Fernandez (Mahie Gill); Best Playback Singer (Female): Kavita Seth ‘Ek Tara’ (Wake Up Sid); Best Playback Singer (Male): Shaan ‘Behti Hawa Sa Tha Woh’ (3 Idiots); Best Music Direction: Pritam (Love Aaj Kal); Best Lyrics: Swanand Kirkire 3 Idiots; Best Story: Abhijat Joshi, Raj Kumar Hirani, Vidhu Vinod Chopra (3 Idiots); Habitat For Humanity Ambassadorship: Salman Khan; IIFA Outstanding Contribution to Hindi Cinema (Male): J Om Prakash; IIFA Outstanding Contribution to Hindi Cinema (Female): Zeenat Aman; and Outstanding Achievement by an Indian Internationally: Anil Kapoor
Photo:
Kareena Kapoor poses for Radio Tarana at the IIFA 2010 held in Colombo from June 3 to 5.
Pawan Prasad and Hemant Parikh at IIFA 2010 in Colombo.
