‘Drishyam 2’, Alia, Hrithik get top awards; lifetime honor for Kamal at IIFA

After sweeping the technical awards at IIFA 2023, ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’ continued its winning run last week, with Alia Bhatt getting Best Actor in a Leading Role (Female). The film’s producer, Jayantilal Gada, received the award on Alia’s behalf, as the actor’s maternal grandfather, Narendra Razdan, is reportedly not well.

Ajay Devgn’s ‘Drishyam 2’ got the Best Film trophy and the honor for Best Director went to R Madhavan for ‘Rocketry: The Nambi Effect’. Hrithik Roshan, meanwhile, bagged the trophy for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his turbo-charged performance in ‘Vikram Vedha’, which also starred Saif Ali Khan.

‘Vikram Vedha’ is an official Hindi remake of the Tamil film with the same title, which featured R Madhavan and Vijay Sethupathi in the lead roles.

Over 70 Bollywood celebs, including 20 A-list stars, lined up for IIFA for its 23rd edition in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi on May 26 and 27. The grand finale IIFA Awards was hosted by actors Abhishek Bachchan and Vicky Kaushal along with electrifying performances by Bollywood superstars Salman Khan, Jacqueline Fernandez, Varun Dhawan, Kriti Sanon, Nora Fatehi and Rakul Preet Singh.

Hrithik said in his acceptance speech: “I have lived with Vedha for many years now. It began right here in Abu Dhabi. I gave my first shot as Vedha here … it feels like life has come full circle to me. Vedha helped me unleash the madness inside me … Thank you universe and thank you Vedha for helping me discover that madness and helping me discover the strength to hold that madness.”

 

Veteran actor Kamal Haasan receiving his award from music composer A R Rahman.

Celebrated actor-filmmaker Kamal Haasan received a standing ovation when he was honored for Outstanding Achievement in Indian cinema. Singer and music composer A R Rahman gave the award to Kamal, who was applauded by all present, starting with Salman Khan.

Accepting the golden trophy, Kamal expressed his gratitude and said: “I grew up in cinema … I came here when I was three and half. … You have been kind enough to allow me to survive till this stage … I’m very thankful and humbled.” Kamal started as a child artiste in the 1960 Tamil film ‘Kalathur Kannamma’.

Senior actor Anil Kapoor also received an award — for Performance In A Supporting Role (Male) for his part in ‘JugJugg Jeeyo’. Fantasy drama ‘Brahmastra: Part One – Shiva’ and ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’ were the big winners. The awards that went to ‘Brahmastra: Part One – Shiva’ included the ones for Best Playback Singer (Shreya Ghoshal, female, and Arijit Singh, male) and for Best Supporting Actor (Female) for Mouni Roy.

Late Bollywood actor Irrfan Khan’s son, Babil Khan, won the Best Debut (Male) award for the film ‘Qala’, and shared it with Shantanu Maheshwari, who starred in ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’. Khushali Kumar won Best Debut (Female) for ‘Dhoka Around the Corner’.

Actor Abhishek Bachchan will soon be seen in the film ‘Ghoomer’, directed by R Balki.

Abhishek at IIFA: ‘Any actor would be greedy to work with Big B’

Abhishek Bachchan, who was last seen making a cameo appearance in Ajay Devgn’s ‘Bholaa’, believes every actor in the Industry is always looking for an opportunity to work with his superstar father, Amitabh Bachchan.

The actor, whose on-screen chemistry with his dad is loved by fans all over the world, has not been seen with the Big B for a long time. When asked about it, Abhishek said: “I would love to work with Amitabh Bachchan. Any actor would be greedy to get an opportunity to work with him. He is my favorite. Not just as his son, but as his fan also I would love to work with him again. But the film and the script have to be right for us to come together.”

Abhishek and Aishwarya’s fans are also eagerly waiting to see them sizzle on the big screen together. Talking about working with her again, the actor said, “She is my favorite co-star. I would love to work together with her, but yes, the script has to be right.”

The actor of course will soon be seen in the film ‘Ghoomer’, directed by R Balki. Featuring Abhishek and state cricketer-turned-actress Saiyami Kher in lead roles, ‘Ghoomer’ is a story of a coach and his prodigy. Abhishek will be seen playing Saiyami’s coach in the film.

Actor Salman Khan was one of the star performers at this year’s IIFA.

‘My days of getting married are over’: Salman Khan

Trust Salman Khan to have the best response to questions about marriage plans. The 57-year-old superstar has been single for a while and was proposed to by a woman on the IIFA green carpet. However, the actor told her that his days of getting married are over.

As the woman shared how she fell in love watching him on screen, Salman first joked if she was talking about Shah Rukh Khan. She corrected him that she was indeed speaking about him, and shared how she has come a long way to meet him. “Will you marry me?” She then asked Bollywood’s beloved Bhaijaan. After a pause, Salman replied, “My days of getting married are over. You should have met me 20 years back.” As the woman questioned him why he was saying this, the actor smiled at her before walking away.

Salman Khan was one of the star performers at this year’s IIFA. He was also joined by the Norwegian dance group The Quick Style, as they grooved on his popular songs.

Actor Fardeen Khan was last seen in the film ‘Dulha Mil Gaya’ in 2010.

Fardeen Khan to make Bollywood comeback with crime thriller

Fardeen Khan, whose comeback is being much talked about, says he has never attempted a role like the one he will be seen portraying in the film ‘Visfot’. The actor, who took the internet by storm some time back when he posted his new pictures on social media, was speaking to the media on the sidelines of IIFA.

The actor spoke about his upcoming film and said: “I am very excited about ‘Visfot’. My dear friend Sanjay Gupta with whom I have worked before is producing the film and Kookie Gulati with whom I have shot for an ad before is directing it.”

The movie’s plot revolves around Fardeen’s character kidnapping the son of a pilot, who’s played by Riteish Deshmukh. Sharing the details of the film, the actor said: “The film is the Hindi remake of the Venezuelan film ‘Rock Paper Scissors’. I haven’t attempted a role like this before. It is a story told in 24 hours so it is a fast-paced crime thriller. I am very excited for it to come out soon.”

Fardeen was last seen in the film ‘Dulha Mil Gaya’, which was released in 2010. The actor is therefore making a comeback after a hiatus of 13 years.

Images courtesy of Twitter@IIFA, Twitter@juniorbachchan and mensxp.com

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