ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — Indian celebrities and Bollywood stars on Friday walked a inexperienced carpet for a second 12 months in a row within the United Arab Emirates — the signature coloration of the International Indian Film Academy awards.

The twenty third version of the “Bollywood Oscars” is being hosted on the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, the UAE capital, over two days. Friday evening kicked off with performances by Bollywood A-listers resembling Badshah and Rajkummar Rao.

The concentration is going to shift on Saturday evening to the principle occasion, a grand awards ceremony that acknowledges cinematic achievements from the previous 12 months.

“Often film stars and the industry are something that’s far away from things like India and with us traveling around the world, we can bring them closer and create a bigger industry.” mentioned Noreen Khan, vice chairman of IIFA.

Home to over 3.5 million Indians, the UAE has an plain hyperlink to India’s thriving multi-billion greenback movie trade. Bollywood continues to increase its sway throughout the UAE, with its movies being produced and screened throughout the nation, and prosperous Bollywood celebrities buying prime actual property properties throughout this federation of sheikhdoms.

“When would you ever get the chance to see Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, everyone up close, so I think it would be a great way of connecting the world with Bollywood,” mentioned veteran movie director Farah Khan, who has attended each single IIFA awards.

The annual ceremony additionally presents a possibility for Indian celebrities to showcase their style, and this 12 months was no exception. Notable figures resembling Urvashi Rautela, Abhishek Bachchan, and Nora Fatehi show their sartorial selections on the inexperienced carpet.

“Last year I was here, I met Salman Khan and he gave me three songs in his film, that’s how important it is,” said singer Sukhbir Singh who will be performing on Friday. “So this is where connections are made.”

Salman Khan, one in every of Indian cinema’s most recognizable names and the model ambassador for IIFA 2023, will probably be acting on Saturday evening. Hindi movie stars Abhishek Bachchan and Vicky Kaushal will probably be internet hosting the occasion and veteran actor Kamal Haasan is to be awarded the Outstanding Achievement in Indian Cinema award.

Over 18,000 native and worldwide followers lined the streets and stuffed the Etihad Arena, desperate to catch a glimpse of their favourite stars.