Entertainment
Recap on IIFA 2023 eve: when Salman Khan got emotional
Published
1 year agoon
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The prestigious International Indian Film Academy Awards are making a comeback to Abu Dhabi this month, bringing forth a vibrant celebration of Bollywood.
Scheduled to take place on May 26 and 27 at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island, the dazzling awards weekend nights will commence with IIFA Rocks—an enchanting evening dedicated to music and fashion. Preparations are also concurrently on, with stars arriving for some last-minute rehearsals. There will be live performances by Salman Khan, Varun Dhawan, Kriti Sanon, Jacqueline Fernandes, Nora Fatehi, and many other talented artists.
Salman Khan was in his elements as the chief patron of IIFA last year as well at the same venue. The event is being held for a rare, successive time with the Department of Tourism and Culture – Abu Dhabi and sponsors Miral extending their support.
Memories of a notable throwback moment from IIFA 2022 included actor Salman Khan sharing a heartfelt personal anecdote. He shared a time from his life when he encountered significant financial challenges, leaving a lasting impression on both the show and the hearts of the viewers.
The actor broke down narrating his whirlwind journey that catapulted him to super-stardom. The actor revealed that there was a period when he couldn’t even afford to buy a t-shirt. The actor was quoted as saying, “Earlier when I didn’t have money, at that time, I went to Suniel Shetty’s clothing shop. It was a very expensive one. I couldn’t afford anything more than a shirt or a pair of jeans. At that time, Suniel noticed that I had no money, so he gifted me a stone-wash shirt.
“He noticed that I had my eyes on a wallet,” as he walked towards Suneil’s son, Ahan Shetty, who was also attending the awards ceremony. “So he took me home and gave me that wallet,” he continued. Ahan stood up and hugged Salman, who was moved to tears by the memory.
The esteemed IIFA Awards will be graced by the charismatic hosting duo of Vicky Kaushal and Abhishek Bachchan, who will infuse the event with their charm and wit. Additionally, the dynamic pairing of Farah Khan and Rajkummar Rao will be in charge of hosting the electrifying IIFA Rocks segment, adding their unique flair to the proceedings. There will also be a fashion show for the first time by Manish Malhotra, who will also be honoured with a special award.
Veterans honoured
This IIFA will have three special awards for notable or outstanding achievements in the history of Indian cinema. Kamal Haasan will be felicitated for ‘Outstanding Achievement in Indian Cinema’; the made-for-each-other couple – Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia D’Souza – for ‘Outstanding Achievement in Regional Cinema’ and fashion designer Manish Malhotra will be feted for his ‘Outstanding Achievements’.
Kamal Haasan, 68, began his career as a child artist, at the age of six, in the 1960 Tamil film Kalathur Kannamma, bagging the President’s Gold Medal. He won the first of his four National Awards for his performance as a school teacher whose selfless devotion to a young woman suffering from retrograde amnesia leaves him heartbroken in the 1982 Tamil film, Moondram Pirai, which was remade three years later in Hindi as Sadma.
Over the years, he has distinguished himself as an actor, filmmaker, screenplay writer, playback singer and TV host, working in not just Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam films, but also in the Hindi and Bengali industries. Recipient of the prestigious Padma Shri and the Padma Bhushan, Kamal Haasan is one of Indian cinema’s living legends.
Journalist for 25 years with leading publications in India and UAE such as The National, Mumbai Mirror, DNA, Indian Express and former Sports Editor of eIndia.com. Now managing editor of Headline.ae, part of MEMc (https://www.memc.co)
Announcements
Global Village announces opening date for Season 29
Published
5 days agoon
September 3, 2024By
SudhashreeSeason 29 of Global Village will kick off on October 16, 2024, the outdoor destination announced. The season will run until May 11, 2025. The popular destination remains closed during the summer months. This year, Global Village is expanding its offerings, featuring more cultural representations, never-before-seen entertainment, and exciting infrastructure upgrades.
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Visitors to the family-friendly destination can experience a diverse range of performances, shopping, and dining experiences from cultures around the world.
Opening more than 25 years ago, the destination set a new record of over 10 million visitors in its 28th season, the longest season to date, hosting 27 pavilions representing over 90 cultures from around the globe, as well as 3,500 shopping outlets and 250 dining options.
The destination is expecting millions of visitors from around the globe to gather for the park’s attractions during the upcoming season.
Announcements
Gaming meets speed: Ferrari launches first-ever esports arena in Abu Dhabi
Published
1 week agoon
September 1, 2024By
SudhashreeFerrari World Yas Island, Abu Dhabi’s acclaimed Ferrari-themed park, has once again redefined entertainment by launching the world’s first Ferrari-themed Esports Arena. This state-of-the-art venue is set to become the go-to destination for racing enthusiasts, Formula 1 aficionados, and thrill-seekers alike.
The newly unveiled Ferrari World Esports Arena features an impressive lineup of 20 Gran Turismo simulators, thoughtfully designed to cater to a broad audience. Fourteen simulators are dedicated to adult racers, while six are specifically designed for younger guests, creating a family-friendly atmosphere that welcomes visitors of all ages.
The arena also includes three specialised F1 simulators, offering participants the exhilarating experience of sitting in the driver’s seat of a Ferrari race car and racing on legendary F1 Grand Prix circuits, including the Yas Marina Circuit. Open daily from 10am to 6pm, the Ferrari World Esports Arena offers access to the Gran Turismo simulators as part of the theme park ticket until the end of the year. The exclusive F1 simulators are available for an additional fee, starting from Dh60 per race.
Announcements
Privacy and Comfort: Inside Sharjah’s newly announced women’s beach retreat
Published
2 weeks agoon
August 24, 2024By
SudhashreeA new beach, only for women, has been announced in Sharjah under the orders of the emirate’s ruler Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi. The 500-meter beach is located in the Lulu’iya area of Khorfakkan and will offer complete privacy for women. The beach will also have other amenities like a cafe, a medical clinic, and a prayer room.
Sharjah Ruler directs allocation of beach for women in Khorfakkan's Al Luluyah area#WamNews https://t.co/CrZULIUb3E pic.twitter.com/YmyKgyHxbj
— WAM English (@WAMNEWS_ENG) August 22, 2024
Other than this beach, Sharjah has the Sharjah Ladies Club beach and in 2023, Sheikh Dr Sultan announced the development of women’s only beaches in Kalba and at Al Hamariya Beach. In May this year, the Crown Prince of Dubai Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed launched the Dubai Quality of Life Strategy 2033, which includes designating new beaches for only women.
In further orders, the Sharjah Ruler directed the construction of a pedestrian bridge linking Al Bardi 6 and Al Batha areas in Khorfakkan city.
Speaking on the Sharjah’s Direct Line radio programme, Yousef Khamis Al Othmani, Chairman of RTA Sharjah said that the new bridge will help the movement of residents between the two areas.
He also said the RTA will implement modifications to the internal roads in the Hayawa area.