Bollywood star Abhishek Bachchan said he's “thrilled to return to Abu Dhabi” to host the International Indian Film Academy Awards gala at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island.
Bachchan, who performed at the event – one of the biggest of its kind dedicated to all things Bollywood – last year, will share hosting duties with acclaimed actor Vicky Kaushal on Saturday night. Top films and talents of 2022 will be honoured on the night, which will also feature performances by superstar Salman Khan and actors Varun Dhawan, Kartik Aaryan, Ayushmann Khurrana, Kriti Sanon, Nora Fatehi, Jacqueline Fernandez and Rakul Preet Singh.
“It will be an absolute pleasure and honour to entertain and meet fans from all over the world,” Bachchan said on Thursday. “We're all working very hard to prepare a wonderful weekend to entertain all of you, but most importantly to celebrate Indian cinema.”
Kaushal, who won Best Actor last year for the biopic Sardar Udham, said he was excited to share the stage with “my buddy Abhishek Bachchan”.
“My journey with IIFA has been tremendously exciting over the years and I can't wait to be on stage to co-host IIFA Awards 2023,” he said.
Khan made a fashionably late entrance, and briefly interacted with the media.
Speaking of his fondness of Abu Dhabi, he said he had so many good memories, having filmed multiple times in the city.
“I'm happy that IIFA tickets sold out, so thank you all,” he said to loud cheers.
First held in London in 2000, the IIFA Awards are hosted by a different city each year but this is the second year in a row Abu Dhabi is hosting the event. Cities that have previously hosted the awards include Dubai, Bangkok, New York, Colombo, Amsterdam, Madrid, Florida, Kuala Lumpur and Macau.
Saturday's gala will be preceded by IIFA Rocks, a night dedicated to music and fashion.
Acclaimed actor Rajkummar Rao and director Farah Khan Kunder will host the night, which will also feature a fashion show by celebrated designer Manish Malhotra. Malhotra, who is set to open his flagship store in Dubai later this year, is celebrating 25 years in the fashion industry.
“IIFA is a real example of a worldwide phenomenon that not only recognises and honours the excellence of Indian cinema on a global scale but also offers the entire film industry a terrific opportunity. Personally, I am overjoyed to host IIFA Rocks once again,” Khan Kunder said.
Rao said he was excited at “the prospect of having fun and making memories.”
“It's going to be a blast,” he added.
Saleh Mohamed Saleh Al Geziry, director general of tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, spoke of the shared cultural and economic ties between India and the UAE.
“Abu Dhabi has served as the setting for a number of Bollywood blockbusters, allowing people all over the world to learn about our stunning country,” he said. “The biggest celebration of Indian cinema will take place in Abu Dhabi, and we are excited to welcome the illustrious actors, directors and members of the Indian film community, as well as their supporters.”
Stars scheduled to attend the awards gala on Saturday include Alia Bhatt, Kamal Haasan, Hrithik Roshan, Anil Kapoor, Riteish and Genelia D’Souza and Dia Mirza.
Abu Dhabi Film Commissioner Hans Fraikin said: “Abu Dhabi is the first city to host the IIFA Awards twice, and I firmly believe it will pave the way for more collaboration in the future as even more Indian filmmakers discover all that Abu Dhabi has to offer, from stunning locations and exceptional talent and facilities to generous financial incentives.”
“Over the past decade alone, Abu Dhabi Film Commission has supported 11 Indian film productions. It has been our pleasure to provide support and help ensure that Indian filmmakers are able to execute their creative visions in the most efficient and cost-effective way,” he added.
Sabbas Joseph, director of Mumbai event company Wizcraft International Entertainment, which organises the IIFA Awards, promised a bigger and better event this year.
“One year ago, IIFA 2002 was brilliant in Abu Dhabi at Yas Island. Take two will be that much better and that much bigger,” he said.
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What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
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VEZEETA PROFILE
Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)
Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
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BOSH!'s pantry essentials
Nutritional yeast
This is Firth's pick and an ingredient he says, "gives you an instant cheesy flavour". He advises making your own cream cheese with it or simply using it to whip up a mac and cheese or wholesome lasagne. It's available in organic and specialist grocery stores across the UAE.
Seeds
"We've got a big jar of mixed seeds in our kitchen," Theasby explains. "That's what you use to make a bolognese or pie or salad: just grab a handful of seeds and sprinkle them over the top. It's a really good way to make sure you're getting your omegas."
Umami flavours
"I could say soya sauce, but I'll say all umami-makers and have them in the same batch," says Firth. He suggests having items such as Marmite, balsamic vinegar and other general, dark, umami-tasting products in your cupboard "to make your bolognese a little bit more 'umptious'".
Onions and garlic
"If you've got them, you can cook basically anything from that base," says Theasby. "These ingredients are so prevalent in every world cuisine and if you've got them in your cupboard, then you know you've got the foundation of a really nice meal."
Your grain of choice
Whether rice, quinoa, pasta or buckwheat, Firth advises always having a stock of your favourite grains in the cupboard. "That you, you have an instant meal and all you have to do is just chuck a bit of veg in."
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Distance covered: 130km
Temperature: -50°C
Weight of equipment: 50kg
Altitude (metres above sea level): 3,300
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Gender pay parity on track in the UAE
The UAE has a good record on gender pay parity, according to Mercer's Total Remuneration Study.
"In some of the lower levels of jobs women tend to be paid more than men, primarily because men are employed in blue collar jobs and women tend to be employed in white collar jobs which pay better," said Ted Raffoul, career products leader, Mena at Mercer. "I am yet to see a company in the UAE – particularly when you are looking at a blue chip multinationals or some of the bigger local companies – that actively discriminates when it comes to gender on pay."
Mr Raffoul said most gender issues are actually due to the cultural class, as the population is dominated by Asian and Arab cultures where men are generally expected to work and earn whereas women are meant to start a family.
"For that reason, we see a different gender gap. There are less women in senior roles because women tend to focus less on this but that’s not due to any companies having a policy penalising women for any reasons – it’s a cultural thing," he said.
As a result, Mr Raffoul said many companies in the UAE are coming up with benefit package programmes to help working mothers and the career development of women in general.
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How to vote
Canadians living in the UAE can register to vote online and be added to the International Register of Electors.
They'll then be sent a special ballot voting kit by mail either to their address, the Consulate General of Canada to the UAE in Dubai or The Embassy of Canada in Abu Dhabi
Registered voters mark the ballot with their choice and must send it back by 6pm Eastern time on October 21 (2am next Friday)
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