INCLUDES VIDEO! The 2008 International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA) Celebrated in Bangkok--Attended by the Who's Who of Indian Cinema

Abishek Bachchan and Ashwarya Rai Bachchan

Who's Who?

Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif, Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Zayed Khan, Arshad Warsi, Shabana Azmi, Dia Mirza, Shriya Saran, A R Rahman, Govinda, Fardeen Khan, and more!

The International Indian Film Academy, dedicated to building bridges across cinemas, businesses, communities and nations, pulled off yet another grand spectacle at Bangkok, its 9th destination. Propelling Indian Cinema to glorious pinnacles beyond Indian shores the IIFA Weekend 2008 Bangkok was bigger than it has ever been, set standards and created new benchmarks.

It’s rather interesting to see the entire Indian Film Fraternity come together to support the IIFA Movement, which made a brilliant pioneering effort in taking Indian Cinema to the World.

The three-day celebration that kicked off on the 6th of June saw the best that Indian Entertainment has to offer. The FICCI IIFA Global Business Forum held on Day 1 brought together great minds to deliberate on key industry verticals and India-Thailand opportunities in the hope of improving synergies between the two countries. At the Forum, IIFA also honoured the work of Nobel Laureate, Dr R K Pachauri, with the IIFA Global Leadership Award, for the work undertaken by him and TERI (The Energy Resources Institute) in the fight against global warming.

The Idea IIFA World Premiere, a part of the first day festivities, showcased the much-awaited Sarkar Raj, starring Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, making it a breathtaking day one. Her Excellency, Thailand’s Princess, Mahachakri Sirindhorn was the Chief Guest at the IIFA World Premiere.

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On Day Two of the IIFA Weekend, Indian and Thai designers came together for the Ultimate Fashion Extravaganza hosted by Karan Johar and choreographed by Lubna Adams. The spectacular was star-studded with the likes of Priyanka Chopra, Harman Baweja, Kareena Kapoor, Vivek Oberoi, Zayed Khan, Ritiesh Deshmukh, Aftab Shivdasani, Ayesha Takia, Dia Mirza, Fardeen Khan, Dino Morea, Danny Denzongpa, Manoj Bajpai, Shweta Bhardwaj, Shriya Saran and Niketan Dheer walking the ramp. The Fashion extravaganza was held in aid of the IIFA Foundation – a charity organisation set by IIFA to support families of the film industry workers who have been adversely affected during the production of a film.

More power packed performances coupled with taking an unflinching stand against today’s most pressing Global issues made IIFA 2008 an unforgettable, one-of-a kind experience. The IIFA strengthened its commitment towards saving the earth, a crusade that it had initiated last year, and launched the Green Globe Foundation. IIFA has also tied with UNEP and TERI in an attempt to save the planet from the dire consequences of global warming. As always, IIFA continued to have the support of the entire Indian Film Fraternity rooting for this cause.

The highly anticipated Love Story 2050, De Talli, Mission Istaanbul and Acid Factory gave their first preview to the global audience and distributors on the IIFA stage.

Wizcraft Management, the conceptualizers and producers of the IIFA, also announced ‘The Unforgettable Tour’, another dazzler from the Wizcraft kitty, during the IIFA Weekend. The Unforgettable Tour, a never seen before extravaganza of Indian Cinema’s magic, was unveiled on 18 July 2008, setting the stage across the globe for Indian Cinema’s biggest night out. The first leg of the tour spanned 10 cities, traveling to exotic destinations like Toronto, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Trinidad & Tobago, Houston, Atlantic City, New York, Vancouver, London and Amsterdam, the tour promises to be an out-of-the-world experience, an event that would leave Indian movie fans asking for more. ‘The Unforgettable Tour’ has brought together, for the very first time, the first family of Indian Cinema - Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Indian Cinema icon Preity Zinta, one of India’s leading actresses and current hot-favourite actor Ritesh Deshmukh accompanied the Bachchans on this extravaganza.

At the IIFA Weekend, as always, the fans couldn’t get enough of their favourite stars and braced themselves as Indian Cinema superstars Akshay Kumar, Kareena Kapoor, Govinda, Katrina Kaif, Vivek Oberoi, Zayed Khan, Dia Mirza descended from the celluloid screen to the IIFA Stage and set it on fore with their stunning performances at the Idea IIFA Awards, the highlight of the IIFA Weekend.

One of the most acclaimed films of last year, a cinematic masterpiece, Chak De India, swept the Awards for Best Actor (Shahrukh Khan), Best Director (Shimnit Amin) and Best Film (Yashraj Films) at the Idea IIFA Awards 2008. The film also bagged the Award for Best Story (Jaideep Sahni). Kareena Kapoor added another feather to her cap with the title of the Best Actress for Jab We Met.

Konkana Sen Sharma and Irrfan Khan won the Best Actors in a Supporting Role, for both female and male categories, for their fabulous movie ‘Life in a Metro’. Vivek Oberoi’s powerful performance won him the Best Actor in a Negative Role for Shootout at Lokhandwala while Govinda’s impeccable timing got him the coveted IIFA Trophy of Best Actor in a Comic Role for Partner.

Music Maestro A R Rahman won the Best Music Director for his soulful tunes in Guru. He also bagged the Awards for Best Background Score and Outstanding Contribution to International Cinema. While Shaan was rewarded for his rendition ‘Jabse Tere Naina’ from Saawariya, Shreya Ghosal was recognized with the Best Playback Singer female for ‘Barso Re’ from Guru.

Reigning superstar Akshay Kumar was given an honour from the Country of Hosting for building bridges and playing a pivotal role in connecting India and Thailand. He was presented the coveted trophy from HE, Latha Reddy, Ambassador of Indian and Khun Weerasak Kowsurat, Tourism Minister of Thailand.
To up the fun quotient to the already dazzling night, Boman Irani and Ritesh Deshmukh played the perfect hosts and kept the audience in splits with their histrionics. Urmilla Matondkar gave the boys company.
The IIFA contingent was made to feel at home by the hard-working Wizcraft team that worked their magic across the IIFA Weekend. The Ambassador of India, Mrs. Latha Reddy and the Tourism Minister of Thailand, Khun Weerasak Kowsurat went out of their way to lay the red carpet (in IIFA’s case Green Carpet) for the Indian film industry.

IIFA Goes Green!

Launches the Green Globe Foundation to support its fight against Global Warming. Superstar Akshay Kumar has been taken on as the Brand Ambassador to lead this noble cause and has the entire Indian Film Fraternity backing this movement.

Akshay Kumar as the foundation’s Ambassador addressed the worldwide IIFA audience in his trademarked “Khiladi” style. While he spoke on Climate Change, Akshay throughout his speech held a melting ice cream cone akin to the melting snow caps. He also emphasized that if we continue the way we are right now our children would never be able to enjoy a basic joys like an ice cream. With the rise in temperatures, due to global warming it would have melted sooner than one can imagine!!

Through his dramatic presentation on the pressing issue of Global Warming, one point that Akshay drove emphatically was that a collective action needs to be taken NOW, exactly what the Green Globe Foundation strives to do.

Upcoming Movies showcased at the IIFA Platform

Six to-be-released movies showcased themselves and unveiled their first look during the IIFA Weekend Bangkok 2008. The stars of each film were present in full throttle to ensure that their flick gets maximum exposure.

* Love Story 2050 couple Priyanka Chopra and Harman Baweja. Director Harry Baweja
* Singh is King star Akshay Kumar performed the finale of the Idea IIFA Awards
* Mission Istaanbul team Vivek Oberoi, Zayed Khan, Shriya Saran, Shweta Bhardawaj, Shabbir Ahuluwalia and Niketan Dhir. Director: Apoorva Lakhia.
* Acid Factory squad Dia Mirza, Aftab Shivdasani, Fardeen Khan, Dino Morea, Manoj Bajpai and Danny Dengzongpa
* De Taali line-up Aftab Shivdasani, Ayesha Takia and Ritesh Deshmukh
* Contract’s director Ram Gopal Varma

Across the IIFA Weekend, India and Indian cinema shone brightest!