Iifa Awards heads to Bangkok
Annual gala returns to the Thai capital after 10 years for its 19th edition
UN Environment’s country head Atul Bagai (second left), Bollywood actors Dia Mirza, Karan Johar, Kartik Aaryan, Ranbir Kapoor and Shahid Kapoor pose with reusable bottles for the campaign ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’ during an Iifa press conference Thursday. The International Indian Film Academy (Iifa) Weekend and Awards will return to Bangkok after a decade for its 19th edition, promising not just Bollywood’s glitz and glamour but support to environmental causes and cinema memorabilia too.
The gala will be held from June 22-24 at the Siam Niramit Theatre, which is adorned by Thailand’s heritage, art and culture and hosts the country’s mostpopular theatre production.
Wizcraft International, the producers and creators of Iifa, are gearing up to put up a Bollywood entertainment show interspersed with cultural elements from Thailand.
“We’re excited to go back to Bangkok. There are a lot of interesting things we are doing and we hope this edition becomes exciting for people to come and have fun,” said Andre Timmins, one of the three forces behind Wizcraft.
Lisbon and Paris were the other places being considered this year. “But we chose Bangkok because we felt it’s close by and this year we thought we will go somewhere close. And Bangkok is a place that has changed tremendously. There are more flights, hotels, restaurants and our industry loves Bangkok,” Timmins said.
The main awards gala on the last day will be hosted by Riteish Deshmukh and Karan Johar, both known for their quick wit. Among the performers will be stars such as Ranbir Kapoor and Shahid Kapoor.
Iifa Rocks, a musical night that precedes the Iifa Awards ceremony night, will be co-hosted by Ayushmann Khurrana and Katrik Aaryan. Composer Pritam will perform.
The event has also tied up with UN Environment for the campaign ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’, the theme for World Environment Day 2018.
Additionally, with an aim to preserve cinema heritage, this year Iifa Foundation will be collaborating with Osian’s auction house to showcase vintage cinema memorabilia at an exhibition event.