ABU DHABI: Bollywood stars Karan Johar, Varun Dhawan, Ananya Panday and Maniesh Paul will host the 27th edition of the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Weekend and Awards, scheduled to take place at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, on January 22 and 23, 2027.
The four stars will come together as hosts for the first time, bringing their distinct personalities, humour and energy to one of Indian cinema’s prominent international celebrations.
Karan Johar’s flamboyant style, Varun Dhawan’s energetic presence, Maniesh Paul’s comic timing and Ananya Panday’s youthful appeal are expected to add a new dimension to the awards ceremony, organisers said.
The hosting line-up reflects IIFA’s evolving approach to celebrating Indian cinema by bringing together established industry personalities and younger talent on a global platform.
Karan Johar, who is set to host the ceremony for the sixth time, said his association with IIFA had given him some of his most memorable stage experiences.
“IIFA and I go back a long way, and some of my most memorable moments on stage have happened here,” Johar said, adding that the excitement and unpredictability of a live IIFA event remained unchanged.
He said returning to Abu Dhabi made the occasion even more special and expressed enthusiasm for the laughter, surprises and entertainment planned for the 2027 edition.
Varun Dhawan also expressed excitement about returning to Yas Island as a host, recalling his previous performances and experiences at IIFA events in Abu Dhabi.
He described IIFA as a celebration that brings the Indian film fraternity together and introduces its talent to audiences around the world.
Dhawan said the event had grown beyond an awards ceremony into a celebration of Indian cinema’s global appeal. He added that he looked forward to sharing the stage with his co-hosts and creating new memories with audiences.
For Ananya Panday, the event will mark her hosting debut at IIFA. She recalled that her journey with the awards began on Yas Island, where she gave her first-ever performance on the IIFA stage.
Panday said returning to Abu Dhabi in a new role held special significance because the city was where her association with IIFA began.
She expressed excitement about celebrating the achievements of Indian cinema and creating new memories with fellow artists and audiences worldwide.
Maniesh Paul, who has hosted IIFA several times, said the live audience, star-studded atmosphere and spontaneous moments continued to make the event special.
He described his return for the 27th edition as an exciting opportunity and said he was looking forward to bringing humour and entertainment to the stage alongside his co-hosts.
The 2027 edition will bring together Bollywood personalities and celebrate achievements across Indian cinema, continuing IIFA’s efforts to connect the Indian film industry with international audiences.
