IIFA Utsavam 2024: A Showcase of South Indian and Bollywood Glamour

The International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Utsavam 2024 took place in Abu Dhabi, attracting a galaxy of stars from both South Indian and Bollywood cinema. The three-day event commenced on September 27 and culminated on September 29 with the exclusive IIFA Rocks, an invitation-only event featuring performances by renowned artists such as Honey Singh, Shilpa Rao, and Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy.

The festival, dedicated to celebrating the vibrancy of the Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada film industries, saw the presence of eminent South Indian figures like Mani Ratnam, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Chiranjeevi, AR Rahman, and Rana Daggubati. Bollywood’s allure was equally represented with notable attendees including Aishwarya Rai, Shahid Kapoor, Kriti Sanon, Karan Johar, Javed Akhtar, and Shabana Azmi.

A highlight of the event was the awards ceremony, where performances by stars like Shahid Kapoor, Kriti Sanon, Ananya Panday, Janhvi Kapoor, and Vicky Kaushal captivated the audience. Vicky Kaushal and Karan Johar also took center stage as hosts, adding flair to the proceedings with their charisma and wit.

Rekha‘s return to the IIFA stage was a momentous occasion, adding a touch of nostalgia to the modern gala. Meanwhile, the winners of the awards were a talking point: Shah Rukh Khan and Rani Mukerji received accolades for Best Actor in “Jawan” and Best Actress in “Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway”, respectively. Other notable winners included Anil Kapoor for Best Supporting Actor in “Animal” and Vidhu Vinod Chopra as Best Director for “12th Fail“.

In his acceptance speech, Shah Rukh Khan expressed gratitude towards his fellow nominees, acknowledging the strong performances by Ranveer Singh, Ranbir Kapoor, and others. He playfully remarked on the financial challenges during the making of “Jawan” and thanked his wife, Gauri Khan, for her unwavering support.

The event continued to honor contributions to Indian cinema, with Jayantilal Gada recognized for his outstanding contributions and Hema Malini acknowledged for her 25 years in the industry. The joyous festival concluded with a promise of memorable performances at IIFA Rocks, leaving attendees eager for next year’s celebration.