Celebs get spots on Dubai Stars
Balqees Fathi, Sonam Kapoor Ahuja, Atif Aslam and others get spot on Dubai Stars walkway
It was a moment of pride as eight icons from across the globe including Emirati singer Balqees Fathi, Egyptian actor-couple Mona Zaki and Ahmad Helmi, Bollywood talent Sonam Kapoor Ahuja and Pakistani pop idol Atif Aslam were officially inducted into The Dubai Stars walkway yesterday amid much fanfare.
The Dubai Stars is set along the Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Boulevard in Downtown Dubai recognising celebrities from various fields including music, film, art, sports and literature, and is now open to the public. It’s essentially the UAE’s answer to the legendary Hollywood Walk of Fame.
“The energy I feel today is about appreciation, peace and love … It is wonderful that there are stars from the Middle East and abroad who are now a part of Dubai
Stars,” said Zaki on the sidelines of the press conference.
Her actor husband Helmi is also being honoured on the Dubai walkway of fame.
“It’s such wonderful news. We understand and appreciate each other’s works. When he’s shooting, I give him all the love, the care and the privacy he needs. He does the same with me and I am happy for us,” said Zaki.
Kapoor Ahuja, who featured in the recent Bollywood film The Zoya
Factor, dubbed her induction into Dubai Stars as the “cherry on top” in her fabulous life.
“As an artist and as actor-filmmaker, you want your work to reach as many people. You want it to cross borders and that’s what every actor or artist wishes for. I am so glad that my work is relevant to this part of the world. To get recognition is amazing,” said Kapoor
Ahuja. She also said that being a role model for millions isn’t an easy job.
“It brings in a lot of pressure. You are like a diamond in the rough and good work polishes that stone and makes it shinier and better,” she said.
Her father Anil Kapoor is also one of the many stars who will be featured on the Dubai Stars walkway.
“I have always been proud of my dad and his work. So to be in the same field as him and get recognition today is a dream come true,” said Kapoor Ahuja.
Internet sensation Khalid Al
Ameri was at his modest best as he described his inclusion as a nod to the “little guy”.
“I am just happy that I am here today. I am like the little guy, so it’s an honour to represent my country and share the work that we do across the world. It brings communities together. I want to thank everyone who recognised the little guy and the impact we have had,” said Al Ameri.
Emirati singer Fathi felt a rush of pride as she remembered her childhood where she looked up to Hollywood stars being honoured in a similar way.
“It’s a great initiative … Dubai is a multicultural city which recognises talents and achievements of different people from across the globe. To be here today is such a great honour for me,” said Fathi.
Aslam expressed his happiness and felt that his induction proved that music cuts across borders.
“Music has always connected people and I am now keen to know about the culture here. Thank you Emaar for having me here. It feels great to be appreciated,” said Aslam.