Some of the biggest names in Bollywood descended on Abu Dhabi's Yas Island this weekend to celebrate the best of the Hindi film industry at the IIFA Awards 2024. True to form, the A-list stars put on a show as entertaining, colourful and dazzling as their films.
Stars including Shah Rukh Khan, Hema Malini, Rani Mukerji and Kriti Sanon were in attendance, and the show, which started fashionably late as expected, did not disappoint – even though it was a very late night, with the ceremony wrapping up at 3am.
Despite running for more than five hours, there was hardly a dull moment, as a coterie of stars entertained an almost-packed Etihad Arena. Here are five highlights from the night.
1. Shahid Kapoor's star-studded medley
Kapoor, who trained under famous the dancer Shiamak Davar, is known for his moves, so it was only fitting that he was one of the first acts of the night. The actor was greeted by cheering fans as he rode a motorbike from the floor to the stage.
The performance began as a solo rendition of Akhiyan Gulaab, but quickly turned into a star-studded spectacle, as he brought on his colleagues, including Kriti Sanon for Laal Peeli Akhiyaan, Prabhu Deva for Muqabla, Bobby Deol for Tera Rang Balle Balle and Anil Kapoor for Nach Punjaban, to join him on stage for a short but exhilarating performance.
2. The trio of star hosts
Organisers spared no expense bringing together Khan, Karan Johar and Vicky Kaushal to host the awards.
Whether all three of them were on stage together, or combinations of pairs, the trio displayed great chemistry, ensuring there wasn't a single dull moment. Highlights included the lighthearted roasting, self-deprecating humour, dancing and a fight sequence between Kaushal and Khan. With his witty one liners and camaraderie, Khan demonstrated why he’s known across the industry as King Khan.
3. Vicky Kaushal's performance
Kaushal's recent film Bad Newz may have been slammed by critics, but it has produced the viral hit song Tauba Tauba, turning the actor into an overnight dancing sensation. It was almost inevitable that at some stage during the night the actor would perform the song, and he did not disappoint.
Smooth, graceful and almost effortless, Kaushal did a short but sweet set after descending on to the stage from a platform. He also performed other hits including Tere Vaaste, Jagga Jiteya and Bijli Bijli. The set concluded on a high note with a performance of Mere Mehboob, for which a number of young dancers and Khan joined him on stage.
4. Bobby Deol's emotional award acceptance
Deol made a big come back to Bollywood with his brief but impactful role in Sandeep Reddy Vanga's 2023 film Animal. After rising to fame in the 1990s, the actor all but disappeared from the big screen after a series of flops. In the past few years, he has gradually come back into the public eye, but his performance in Animal has firmly brought him back into the limelight.
“Every actor's journey is not easy,” a tearful Deol said as the audiences began cheering and screaming his name even before he was announced as the winner. Performing his famous Jamal Kuddu step with a glass tumbler placed on his head, the actor bowed in gratitude, crediting his wife for standing by him during his darkest days.
5. Rekha's grand finale
There has always been an air of mystery surrounding acclaimed golden era actress Rekha, as she is fiercely private about her personal life and has also mostly stayed away from the big screen. Ahead of the awards, the announcement of her performance was as surprising as it was exciting, and she did not disappoint.
Dressed in pink and gold and adorned in Kundan-style jewels, the actress performed a medley of retro songs, including Mohe Panghat Pe, Piya Tose Naina Laage Re and Inhi Logon Ne, concluding with Pardesiya. The actress, whose set was choreographed by Ganesh Acharya, was as graceful as she was almost five decades ago.
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Country-size land deals
US interest in purchasing territory is not as outlandish as it sounds. Here's a look at some big land transactions between nations:
Louisiana Purchase
If Donald Trump is one who aims to broker "a deal of the century", then this was the "deal of the 19th Century". In 1803, the US nearly doubled in size when it bought 2,140,000 square kilometres from France for $15 million.
Florida Purchase Treaty
The US courted Spain for Florida for years. Spain eventually realised its burden in holding on to the territory and in 1819 effectively ceded it to America in a wider border treaty.
Alaska purchase
America's spending spree continued in 1867 when it acquired 1,518,800 km2 of Alaskan land from Russia for $7.2m. Critics panned the government for buying "useless land".
The Philippines
At the end of the Spanish-American War, a provision in the 1898 Treaty of Paris saw Spain surrender the Philippines for a payment of $20 million.
US Virgin Islands
It's not like a US president has never reached a deal with Denmark before. In 1917 the US purchased the Danish West Indies for $25m and renamed them the US Virgin Islands.
Gwadar
The most recent sovereign land purchase was in 1958 when Pakistan bought the southwestern port of Gwadar from Oman for 5.5bn Pakistan rupees.
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
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Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
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Karwaan
Producer: Ronnie Screwvala
Director: Akarsh Khurana
Starring: Irrfan Khan, Dulquer Salmaan, Mithila Palkar
Rating: 4/5
