The popular International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA) for this year has kicked off with a lot of pomp and show in New York. And certainly it's a starry affair in the far away land right now!
The lobby of a hotel at the bustling Times Square area here was full of NRIs waiting to catch a glimpse of their favourite Bollywood stars, who have descended in the Big Apple for the 18th edition of the IIFA Weekend and Awards.
From fans sporting colourful 'pagdis' and a family of three flaunting T-shirts reading "Shah Rukh's fan", "Salman's fan" and "Aamir's fan" -- the excitement level was unprecedented as they welcomed the celebrities for the kick-off press conference here on Thursday evening at the Sheraton hotel.
Salman Khan, Anupam Kher, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Katrina Kaif, Shahid Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan, Kriti Sanon and Sushant Singh Rajput apart from DJ Dwayne Bravo set the pace for the IIFA celebrations here.
#india takes over #TimesSquare @IIFA #IIFAStomp #IIFA2017 @Varun_dvn our rockstar pic.twitter.com/KctTV3lWp7
— Andre Timmins (@WizAndreTimmins) July 14, 2017
"We hope this is a weekend of laughter, happiness and joy of coming together in one of the biggest cities in the world," Sabbas Joseph, Wizcraft International Entertainment, the creators and producers of IIFA, said here. Riva Ganguly Das, India's Consul General in New York, welcomed the stars to the city.
#IIFA2017 Katrina Kaif, Varun Dhawan, Alia Bhatt and Shahid Kapoor snapped in the front row pic.twitter.com/6yBfNOAqQh
— Katrina Kaif Online (@KatrinaKaifFB) July 14, 2017
"It's not everyday that the stars come to New York City. This is really India's soft power at its best as we try to develop a relationship with the US further.
"I think people are at the heart of relationships -- and people-to-people relationships strengthen relations between countries. So, I think events like this when they happen, it's better late than never.
"New York is a great selection for the show as it gets great visibility for India because Times Square is really a place where the world meets. It's a great opportunity for us to show our soft power."
Back and how! The stunning #KatrinaKaif to perform on the #IIFA2017 stage. The stage sure has missed her presence. pic.twitter.com/kxyio58l3k
— IIFA Awards (@IIFA) July 14, 2017
The three-day IIFA gala features the IIFA Stomp, IIFA Rocks and IIFA Awards.
The stars promised a "memorable" show full of fun and frolic.
"I promise you that #IIFA2017 is going to be incredible. It's going to be one of the best by far!" @BeingSalmanKhan pic.twitter.com/zmuuqRPSh9
— IIFA Awards (@IIFA) July 14, 2017
At the conference, DJ Bravo also made the stars groove to a number that he sang live, and the fans cheered for the Bollywood celebrities by shouting "Chal beta selfie le le re", "We love you Salman" and "Alia, you're the best". Salman, in his typical style, said: "Chup baith jao... Awaaz lag rahi hai kaan mein. Love you too."
She's coming to enthral millions of hearts! Catch @aliaa08's smashing performance at #IIFA2017 on 16th July Sunday 7pm @ColorsTV pic.twitter.com/LFN7NFzOc1
— IIFA Awards (@IIFA) July 14, 2017
Her enchanting looks made the audience go gaga! Stunner @deespeak at IIFA Stomp. @myntra pic.twitter.com/VXMBpGhCH5
— IIFA Awards (@IIFA) July 14, 2017
The handsome hunk @Varun_dvn shakes a leg at IIFA Stomp and gets the crowd grooving with him. #IIFA2017 @myntra pic.twitter.com/dyHazgIeMf
— IIFA Awards (@IIFA) July 14, 2017
Causing fireworks at Times Square is the one and only @shahidkapoor at IIFA Stomp! #IIFA2017 pic.twitter.com/fw6cVph9Hy
— IIFA Awards (@IIFA) July 14, 2017
Massive crowd calls for a mega selfie moment. The charming @SunielVShetty with our very own @WizAndreTimmins are all smiles at IIFA Stomp! pic.twitter.com/GFMpqOGsap
— IIFA Awards (@IIFA) July 14, 2017
Beauty in black. @humasqureshi owns the runway at IIFA Stomp! Designer @sonaakshiraaj. Jewelry collection #Gitanjali pic.twitter.com/9pmwMxypI4
— IIFA Awards (@IIFA) July 14, 2017
The flawless @TheShilpaShetty looks like a goddess sent straight down to Times Square. IIFA Stomp lights up with her aura. #IIFA2017 @myntra pic.twitter.com/PG91AndOK9
— IIFA Awards (@IIFA) July 14, 2017
He gets hearts racing and how! The one and only @BeingSalmanKhan talks about his excitement for #IIFA2017 pic.twitter.com/4t4douByPi
— IIFA Awards (@IIFA) July 13, 2017
