April 29 – The 15th edition of IIFA (International Indian Film Academy) Awards was indeed a merger of Hollywood and Bollywood.
Performing at the grand finale of the award function, which made its US debut in Tampa Bay, Saturday Night Fever star John Travolta surprised everyone as he opted for some Bollywood jhatka- matka while dancing to the tune of Dil Mein Baji Ghantiya with Priyanka Chopra.
The Pulp Fiction star also did an impromptu gig with Bollywood’s dance god Hrithik Roshan, who presented him with an award for Outstanding contribution to International Cinema.
Academy Award winning actor Kevin Spacey too, shed his inhibitions as he danced along with lungi partners Deepika Padukone, Farhan Akhtar and Shahid Kapoor on ‘ Lungi Dance’ from Deepika’s film Chennai Express . While Hollywood stars were going the Indian way, Shahid and Farhan, dressed as Jack Sparrow-Johnny Depp’s character from Pirates of The Caribbean, entertained Tampa in Bollywood style.
As Deepika brought the stage alive with her graceful routines, her rumoured boyfriend and Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ramleela co- star Ranveer Singh displayed excellent energy while performing on Tatad Tatad and Dhishkiyaoon from the movie.
Inspired by Ellen DeGeneres’ famous selfie with Hollywood biggies at the Academy Awards, Farhan and Shahid urged Sonakshi Sinha, Shatrughan Sinha, Rishi Kapoor, Anil Kapoor and Shabana Azmi to pose for one.
Lifetime achievement
Shatrughan Sinha was given a lifetime achievement award for his contribution to cinema.
Sonakshi Sinha accompanied her father as actor Anil Kapoor presented him the trophy. The Vishwanath star made the best of the platform by endorsing his party and its PM candidate. ” India is going through a transition. It will soon rise under the strong guidance of a leader, who I do not want to name,” said Shatrughan.
Singing star
Southern star Dhanush won the best debutant award for his film Raanjhanaa . ” I did not know that audience knew me,” said the National Award winner while accepting the award which he claimed was unexpected.
The crowd cheered and convinced him to sing Kolaveri Di , Dhanush’s song that had become quite a hit in 2012.
NAMO wave in Tampa
(Hollywood actor Kevin Spacey doing the “Lungi” dance)
IF YOU thought IIFA 2014 is all about glamorous stars, you might be in for surprise. A large number of Gujarati population residing in the US for decades, many of whom were present at the IIFA Awards, is energised about the Narendra Modi wave in India.
Dr Kiran Patel, a billionaire medical entrepreneur and head of the Gujarati social community in Tampa, openly supports BJP’s PM pick. Patel and his wife Pallavi, who are also the hosts of IIFA, are staunch Modi supporters.
A large number of Gujarati population in California, New York, Boston and Georgia connect with Modi.
” We want a change in the government. We supporting Modiji through social media and have motivated Indians to vote for him,” said Bhupendra Ranat from Kansas.
IIFA was perfectly timed for Modi supporters from the two continents.
Rishi Kapoor was conferred with an award for the best actor in a negative role for his performance as a gangster in the film D- Day . ” In my young days, when I danced like Travolta and acted well, I was never given any award. But, now when I have turned a bit naughty I am getting awarded,” said Rishi .
That awkward moment
While the audience got curious as one- time lovers Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor Khan, who try hard not to be present at the same stage, came face to face on the final day of IIFA 2014, the situation got a bit awkward for the two stars.
Kareena, who was flanked by her husband Saif Ali Khan, as she went on the stage to present an award saved herself from embarrassment by saying ” Hi Farhan! Hi Shahid”. Later, in order to keep away from the cameras, Kareena and Saif refused to sit in the audience and stayed backstage.
-India Today
