Indian actor Ranveer Singh, known as much for his acting skills as his stage performances, will be one of the star attractions at the International Indian Film Academy Awards in Abu Dhabi, in February.
Singh is one of the first performers announced for the two-day event, which celebrates all things Bollywood.
The IIFA Awards, which recognise the best Hindi films and actors from the previous year, are usually held in a different city every year, but it is returning to Abu Dhabi for the second year in a row next year. Spread across two days, celebrations will begin with IIFA Rocks, an evening dedicated to musical performances, on February 10, followed by the main awards gala the following night. Singh will perform at the awards gala.
Scroll through the gallery below for pictures from IIFA Awards 2022 in Abu Dhabi
One of the highest-paid actors today, Singh is also a brand ambassador for Yas Island and recently brought 300 Indian fans on an all-expenses-paid trip to explore the island's many attractions.
"I’m excited to be headlining IIFA again with a performance that hopefully will be memorable to all those attending it," he said. "I’m thrilled for this one because I will be performing at Yas Island, my home away from home. As the brand ambassador for such a spectacular destination, I cannot wait to showcase the island to my friends from the industry, as well as to those attending this event as an audience. I’m anticipating the most incredible IIFA experience to date at Yas because I know it will be epic in every way possible."
Singh was scheduled to perform at the IIFA Awards earlier this year, but had to back out owing to scheduling conflicts after the event was postponed to June 3 and 4 from its original May date following the death of Sheikh Khalifa.
Organisers recently announced Bollywood stars Farhan Akhtar and Abhishek Bachchan will play host at the February event's gala night, along with actor Maniesh Paul, who hosted the evening earlier this year alongside actors Salman Khan and Riteish Deshmukh.
Khan, an ambassador for IIFA, will also return. Other stars confirmed to attend so far include Varun Dhawan and Kriti Sanon, as well as director and producer Karan Johar.
"I'm ecstatic to be hosting the 23rd edition of IIFA at Yas Island, Abu Dhabi," Bachchan, who was one of the performers this year, said earlier. "IIFA is like family to me. I am looking forward to entertaining, meeting fans and connecting with them globally."
Akhtar, who has hosted past IIFA Awards, said he was looking forward to taking part next year in Abu Dhabi.
"IIFA is the only global platform that has travelled the world. It has bought cinema lovers closer from all across the globe," he said.
First held in London in 2000, the IIFA Awards were conceptualised by Mumbai event company Wizcraft International Entertainment and has been instrumental in boosting Bollywood's popularity globally.
Dubai has hosted the event, in 2006, and so has Bangkok, New York, Colombo, Amsterdam, Madrid, Florida, Kuala Lumpur and Macau.
This year's event marked the first time it was held in Abu Dhabi, attended by more than 20,000 fans across two days, IIFA organisers said.
Tickets, starting at Dh110, are on sale now at etihadarena.ae
Scroll through the gallery below for pictures of Bollywood stars arriving for the IIFA Awards 2022 in Abu Dhabi
SPECS
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RESULTS
Manchester United 2
Anthony Martial 30'
Scott McTominay 90 6'
Manchester City 0
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Where to buy art books in the UAE
There are a number of speciality art bookshops in the UAE.
In Dubai, The Lighthouse at Dubai Design District has a wonderfully curated selection of art and design books. Alserkal Avenue runs a pop-up shop at their A4 space, and host the art-book fair Fully Booked during Art Week in March. The Third Line, also in Alserkal Avenue, has a strong book-publishing arm and sells copies at its gallery. Kinokuniya, at Dubai Mall, has some good offerings within its broad selection, and you never know what you will find at the House of Prose in Jumeirah. Finally, all of Gulf Photo Plus’s photo books are available for sale at their show.
In Abu Dhabi, Louvre Abu Dhabi has a beautiful selection of catalogues and art books, and Magrudy’s – across the Emirates, but particularly at their NYU Abu Dhabi site – has a great selection in art, fiction and cultural theory.
In Sharjah, the Sharjah Art Museum sells catalogues and art books at its museum shop, and the Sharjah Art Foundation has a bookshop that offers reads on art, theory and cultural history.
Tips for newlyweds to better manage finances
All couples are unique and have to create a financial blueprint that is most suitable for their relationship, says Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial. He offers his top five tips for couples to better manage their finances.
Discuss your assets and debts: When married, it’s important to understand each other’s personal financial situation. It’s necessary to know upfront what each party brings to the table, as debts and assets affect spending habits and joint loan qualifications. Discussing all aspects of their finances as a couple prevents anyone from being blindsided later.
Decide on the financial/saving goals: Spouses should independently list their top goals and share their lists with one another to shape a joint plan. Writing down clear goals will help them determine how much to save each month, how much to put aside for short-term goals, and how they will reach their long-term financial goals.
Set a budget: A budget can keep the couple be mindful of their income and expenses. With a monthly budget, couples will know exactly how much they can spend in a category each month, how much they have to work with and what spending areas need to be evaluated.
Decide who manages what: When it comes to handling finances, it’s a good idea to decide who manages what. For example, one person might take on the day-to-day bills, while the other tackles long-term investments and retirement plans.
Money date nights: Talking about money should be a healthy, ongoing conversation and couples should not wait for something to go wrong. They should set time aside every month to talk about future financial decisions and see the progress they’ve made together towards accomplishing their goals.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
