The countdown to the 23rd edition of the International Indian Film Academy and Awards has begun. With the biggest celebration of Indian cinema, music, dance and fashion days away, Bollywood is gearing up for the biggest holiday for the entire industry, with at least 20 of the industry’s A-listers packing to be there at IIFA.
They will be landing once again on the entertainment-filled and action-packed amazing Yas Island, Abu Dhabi from May 25-27 for the eagerly awaited 2023 Sobha IIFA Weekend and Nexa Awards, partnered by Miral and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi.
The grand stage for the Awards is once again the world-class Etihad Arena, the Middle East’s largest state-of-the-art indoor entertainment venue, located on the picturesque Yas Bay Waterfront. Vicky Kaushal and Abhishek Bachchan are all set to be the hosts for IIFA 2023 and they promise an evening of entertainment and excitement.
The awards will be interspersed with live performances by a mega star cast, with Bollywood’s much-loved Bhaijaan, Salman Khan, leading the way. His Kick collaborator, Jacqueline Fernandez, will give him company, along with Varun Dhawan and Kriti Sanon whose horror-comedy, Bhediya, made us laugh and scream in equal measures.
Nora Fatehi, Rakul Preet Singh and Ayushmann Khurana will also set the stage on fire with some very special performances.
IIFA Rocks is set to be hosted by Farah Khan and another National Award-winning actor, Rajkummar Rao bringing together the very best in camaraderie of cinema.
IIFA Rocks will also see some of the biggest music performances by the much-feted music director and singer Amit Trivedi, along with several popular singers, Badshah, Sunidhi Chauhan, Nucleya, Mika, Sukhbir Singh, Raftaar, Shreya Ghoshal, Anusha Mani and Goldie Sohel.
The most highly awaited special addition this year to the Sobha IIFA Rocks is the premiere edition of an exclusive showcase by leading celebrity designer, Manish Malhotra.
Salman Khan has never been one to hold back, and at a recent event in Dubai, he added his signature dose of humour to the oft-debated topic of nepotism in Bollywood. The superstar, fondly known as Sallubhai, was in town to launch his nephew Ayaan Agnihotri’s debut song, “Universal Laws”, and in true Salman style, he had the audience in splits with his witty remark.
As Dubai’s DJ Bliss – who hosted the event – praised the Khan family for their unwavering support for Ayaan, Salman quipped, “That’s what nepotism is!” His playful jab left everyone in the room in splits.
And as the crowd cheered, Salman officially launched the song, marking Ayaan’s much-anticipated entry into the music world.
A Star-Studded Affair
The event turned into a Bollywood reunion, with stars like Arbaaz Khan, Sohail Khan, Neha Dhupia, Angad Bedi, and other celebrities coming together to celebrate Ayaan’s big moment.
During his speech, Salman highlighted that Ayaan, the son of Atul Agnihotri and Alvira Khan Agnihotri (Salman’s sister), hails from a family of seasoned film producers. He also mentioned that Ayaan’s cousin, Alizeh Agnihotri, who recently made her Bollywood debut, shares the same film-driven lineage.
Ayaan and Salman’s Previous Collaboration
This isn’t the first time the uncle-nephew duo has joined forces. Salman and Ayaan previously worked together on the track, “You Are Mine”, where the young artist showcased his rap skills alongside the Bollywood megastar. The song, composed by Vishal Mishra, became a talking point among fans.
Salman & Sanjay Dutt Spotted in Saudi Arabia
Meanwhile, Salman is keeping busy with multiple projects. A recent video circulating on social media showed him and actor Sanjay Dutt filming on the streets of Saudi Arabia. The clip, shared by an X user, captured the two actors casually chatting with crew members.
The buzz is that Salman and Sanjay are working on a cameo appearance in the Bollywood remake of the 2021 Argentine film Seven Dogs. While details remain under wraps, fans are excited to see the duo share screen space again.
From family celebrations in Dubai to shooting in Saudi Arabia, Salman Khan is proving yet again that his star power knows no boundaries.
If you grew up vibing to Bollywood singer Kumar Sanu’s golden hits, here’s some news that’ll make you smile — Britain just honoured him with not one, but two prestigious awards.
The legendary singer, whose soulful voice defined Bollywood music in the ’90s and beyond, was recognised by the UK Parliament for his incredible contributions to music. And that’s not all, he also bagged the Lifetime Achievement Award from the World Book of Records, a double win for the veteran singer, whose is fondly called ‘Sanu Da’.
Special Honour at UK Parliament The House of Commons, UK, celebrated Kumar Sanu’s impact on global music. This is actually the second time the UK Parliament has recognised the singer’s status in the music world.
Talking about the honour, Sanu said: “I’m overwhelmed and deeply grateful. Recording 28 songs in a single day is one of my proudest milestones, and to be recognised for my music means the world to me. This award is for my incredible fans. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
A musical celebration in London Sanu’s daughter, Shannon K, was by his side for this special occasion, and the two even performed together at a star-studded event in London. Music lovers, dignitaries, and Bollywood fans came together to celebrate the voice that defined a generation.
In his acceptance speech, he said: “Music has been my lifelong passion. Being recognised internationally, especially by the UK Parliament again, is beyond humbling. I dedicate this to my fans — you are my biggest strength.”
A record-breaking career
Holds a Guinness World Record for recording the most songs in a single day Won five consecutive Filmfare Awards for Best Playback Singer Honoured with India’s Padma Shri award for his contributions to music
From Bollywood soundtracks to international recognition, Kumar Sanu’s legacy continues to shine.Music lovers will be happy Sanu is still making music that spans generations.
One of India’s biggest movie stars, Salman Khan, is set to back his nephew Ayaan Agnihotri as he takes his first step into the music industry with a grand debut in Dubai. Performing under his stage name, Agni, Ayaan will launch his first track, Universal Laws, on February 20. The song marks his entry as a singer, composer, and rapper, and the event promises to be a star-studded celebration with Salman leading the charge. According to sources, the launch will see the presence of several famous Bollywood stars including Arbaaz Khan, Sohail Khan, Alvira Khan Agnihotri, Arpita Khan Sharma, Bobby Deol, and Sonakshi Sinha, making it one of the most glamorous musical debuts of the year. More than just a song, Universal Laws showcases Agni’s artistic versatility. As a singer, rapper, lyricist, and composer, he has infused the track with deep emotions and powerful storytelling, set to dynamic beats. The song has been produced, mixed, and mastered by Aditya Dev, ensuring a high-quality sonic experience. Following its grand launch in Dubai, Universal Laws will be available on Agni’s official YouTube channel and all major streaming platforms. Ayaan, the son of Atul Agnihotri and Salman’s sister Alvira Khan Agnihotri, has already had a taste of the industry. He previously collaborated with his uncle Salman on the track You Are Mine, composed by Vishal Mishra. The debutant shared in an earlier interview that his superstar uncle and composer Vishal had been working on the song for some time and were close to finalizing it when Salman felt it needed something extra. That’s when he reached out to Alvira, suggesting that Ayaan rap for an eight-bar section of the track. Ayaan revealed that he ‘wrote two versions of the rap in just 20 minutes, and when his uncle (Salman) heard them, he immediately asked his nephew to meet Vishal and finalise the tracks. With Salman Khan’s unwavering backing and a promising start, Agni’s musical journey is set to be an exciting one.