ABU DHABI: The 23rd edition of the International Indian Film Academy and Awards (IIFA) once again proved to be the biggest celebration of Indian cinema, music, dance and fashion.
The venue for the Nexa IIFA Awards 2023, co-presented by Sobha Realty and co-powered by the Kuber Group, was the entertainment-filled and action-packed Yas Island. The grand stage was 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 hosted IIFA 2023 and the awards were 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, Varun Dhawan, Kriti Sanon, Nora Fatehi and Rakul Preet Singh also set the stage on fire with some very special performances.
Here are some highlights from the evening of Nexa IIFA Awards 2023
Hrithik Roshan wins Best Actor in a Leading Role (Male) for Vikram Vedha
Jayantilal Gada accepts the award on behalf of Alia Bhatt as she wins
the Best Actor in a Leading Role (Female) for Gangubai Kathiawadi
R Madhavan wins the Best Direction Category for Rocketry: The Nambi Effect
Special Award: Outstanding Achievement
in Regional Cinema: Riteish & Genelia
A.R. Rahman presents the Outstanding Award to
Kamal Haasan for his ‘Outstanding Achievement in Indian Cinema’
Designer Manish Malhotra was honoured for his
‘Outstanding Achievement In Fashion in Cinema’
- Hosts: Abhishek Bachchan and Vicky Kaushal
- Performers: Salman Khan, Jacqueline Fernandez, Varun Dhawan, Kriti Sanon, Nora Fatehi & Rakul Preet Singh
ROUNDING OUT THE CATEGORIES – THE WINNERS ARE:
- Best Picture Category | Drishyam 2
- Best Direction Category| R Madhavan for Rocketry: The Nambi Effect
- Best Actor In A Leading Role (Female) | Alia Bhatt for Gangubai Kathiawadi
- Best Actor In A Leading Role (Male) | Hrithik Roshan for Vikram Vedha
- Performance In A Supporting Role (Female) | Mouni Roy for Brahmastra: Part 1 – Shiva
- Performance In A Supporting Role (Male) | Anil Kapoor for Jug Jugg Jeeyo
- Music Direction | Pritam for Brahmastra: Part 1 – Shiva
- Playback Singer (Female) | Shreya Ghoshal for the song Rasiya from Brahmastra: Part 1 – Shiva
- Playback Singer (Male) | Arijit Singh for the song Kesariya from Brahmastra: Part One – Shiva
- Best Story (Original) | Parveez Sheikh and Jasmeet Reen for the film Darlings
- Best Story (Adapted) | Aamil Keeyan Khan and Abhishek Pathak for Drishyam 2
- Lyrics | Amitabh Bhattacharya for the song Kesariya from Brahmastra: Part 1 – Shiva
- Best Debut – Female, Khushali Kumar for Dhoka Around the Corner
- Best Debut – Male, Shantanu Maheshwari for Gangubai Kathiawadi and Babil Khan for Qala
PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS
- The Opening performance was of the vast desert landscape with sand dunes, a mesmerizing backdrop of the desert along with vibrant landscapes and cultural heritage of Abu Dhabi.
- Second performance by Varun Dhawan on The Punjaban song, Malhari, Garmi, Shava Shava, Singham, Palat, Jungle Mein Kaand and Naacho Naacho
- Performance by Kriti Sanon on apna bana le, Thumkeshwari, Munda sona hoon main, Param sundari joined by Quick Style dancers, followed by Coca Cola Tu, Ao Kabhi Havelli Pe, Main tera boyfriend, Sweety tera drama
- Bollywood Wives, Maheep Kapoor, Bhavna Pandey, Seema Kiran Sajdeh and Neelam Kothar made a special announcement – they’re going on a world tour for the show’s next season.
- A fun segment called Let’s Battle It Out – between Vicky Kaushal and Varun Dhawan
- Performance by Rakul Preet Singh enchanted the audience with her awe-inspiring performance on Aaiye Meherbaan, Babuji Dheere Chalna, Ajeeb dastan, Mud mud ke na dekh, Pyar hua ikrar hua, Mera naam chin chin chu
- Vicky Kaushal and Sara Ali Khan dance on the video of their latest song from their film Zara Hatke Zara Bachke.
- Performance by Jacqueline Fernandez on Paani paani, Kala shakala, Show me your thumka, Ra ra rakamma
- Performance by Nora Fatehi on Aaj ki raat koi aane ko hai, Aao na gale lagaalo na, Piya tu ab toh aaja, Duniya mein logo ko, Yeh mera dil yaar ka deewana, Laila o Laila
- Performance by Salman Khan on Oh Oh Jaane Jana with Quickstyle, Kisi ka bhai kisi ka jaan, Billi billi, Aaja soniye seeti maar, You’re my love, Joote dedo paise lo, Tumpar hum hai atke, Baby ko bass pasand hai, Aaj ki party, Jumme ki raat, Yentamma yentamma.