IIFA Ambassador says Bollywood has come of age. Every one loves the song-and-dance extravaganza, even the West.
Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan yesterday said Indian movies have finally got the "dignity and respect" they deserve abroad.
Speaking to a packed audience in his characteristic baritone, Bachchan said he was surprised during his visits abroad to countries "far removed from the Indian culture", to see people enjoying Bollywood movies. "They enjoy the songs, the dances, the movie characters," he said.
"The West was earlier cynical about Bollywood movies," he said. "Our movies were objects of ridicule," he said, adding that movies produced in Mumbai today are finally reaching an appreciative audience beyond India's shores.
National pride
Recounting the beginning of Indian movies, the movie star said India's conservative society earlier thought films were "infra-dig" and "taboo". But today, he said, Indian movies are the country's pride and have a huge influence internationally.
The star inaugurated the Tiara IIFA Weekend and Awards It is the first time it is being held in an Arab country. Dubai, he said is the "sangam" (confluence) between the best of the East, and the best of the West. "You think, you dream, you fantasise," he said, adding that Dubai has proved the fantasy true.
All smiles
Bachchan was all smiles when he got a special message from the Mayor of Amsterdam, thanking him and IIFA for hosting the event in the Dutch city last year. The Mayor said the event brought 45,000 Indian tourists to the city and huge publicity internationally. He wished Dubai the best in hosting this celebrity event.
This is the 7th IIFA event abroad and expects to not only be a celebrity event and party time for the stars, but also attract huge interest in bilateral business.
Event to remember
Saeed Al Nabouda, Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Summer Surprises and Dubai Shopping Festival, hoped that this would be "an event to remember".
"We are greatly honoured to host an event of such grand stature as the IIFA Weekend which is dubbed as the Indian equivalent of the Oscars. It is indeed a pleasure to welcome the stars of the Indian film industry to this glittering event. The four-day extravaganza is slated to be a bigger and most exclusive event in true Dubai style," he said.
Dr Amina Al Rustamani, Executive Director of Media, Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone, said: "Our association with IIFA is part of a long-term strategy to establish alliances with events that connect the filmmaking fraternity in a celebration of cinema. This association enhances our links with the world's largest film industry and creates forums for greater cultural interaction."
DID YOU KNOW?
The International Indian Film Academy Weekend and Awards was launched seven years ago at the Millennium Dome in London. It has today grown into a three-day extravaganza showcasing the best of Indian cinema and providing a platform for its interaction with global media.
It is a salutation to the world's largest film industry and has also attracted international stars and directors as Mira Nair, Angelina Jolie, Kylie Minogue, Jackie Chan, Bo Derek and Miranda Richardson.
