Originally published in Masala! – UAE
- RANBIR GOES GAGA OVER HIS LADY LOVE AT IIFA AWARDS YES
These two, Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukon, have not been hush-hush about their love affair. Their Instagram accounts are full of special moments shared together. However, public display of affection is something we don’t see often in Bollywood – especially not on stage for millions of viewers across the globe.
While accepting the award for best performance in ‘Leading Role – Male’, Singh went gaga over his ladylove, and dedicated his award to her. His exact words – ‘she’s Leela to my Ram, Mastani to my Bajiroa…and who knows what’s next?! Girl, you’re so fine. Nothing make me as happy as you…”
The same followed on his Instagram account for those who’re too cool for TV. These two are giving us some serious #couplegoals right now!
- WAS BHAI’S BAJRANGI BHAIJAAN THE ULTIMATE WINNER OR RANVEER’S BAJIRAO MASTANI?
IIFA Awards 2016 were most anticipated for 1) they were the last awards before the season concluded, and 2) Salman Khan’s Bajrangi Bhaijaan and Ranveer Singh’s Bajirao Mastani were head to head with each other – but only one could take it home.
To say we were surprised by the results wouldn’t be far from the truth. Best cinematography, best screenplay and best picture were taken up by Bajrangi Bhaijaan, whereas best performance in a supporting role (female), best performance in a leading role (male) and best direction were awarded to Bajirao Mastani.
Was it a politically correct move or was this PERFECT split coincidental and kind of justified? Our lips are sealed.
- SALMAN KHAN PICKS ON DEEPIKA AND PRIYANKA PUBLICLY (YES)
Bollywood’s two absolute favourite leading ladies, Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra, have made their Hollywood debut. Is a certain Khan unhappy about it?
During the opening press conference of IIFA 2016, Salman Khan requested a replay for Mirzya’s trailer. When the two aforementioned ladies took their sweet time in getting off the stage, Salman Khan off-handedly commented that they have lost interest in Bollywood, and are all about Hollywood now. Ouch!
It was all in good humour, and everyone laughed it off. But is Bollywood secretly unhappy with these two spreading their wings beyond Indians borders? Will they face a certain kind of disdain from the local fraternity? We hope not. But only time will tell.
- IF FAWAD REALLY CUT OUT FOR HOSTING? (YES)
Pakistani heartthrob took over IIFA Rocks stage on June 24th 2016 in Madrid, alongside award-winning director Karan Johar. It was the first time Fawad, an acclaimed actor and singer, hosted IIFA, and we were really excited to see him in action.
Did he deliver? We aren’t too sure. Hosting requires a lot of energy and impromptu humour. Also, comic timing is CRUCIAL. Fawad, on the other hand, is all about attitude and posture. He has the sweetest of tongues, with a regal demeanour. Like it or not, he did look out of place. He was fantastic with actresses on stage, re-enacting scripted acts, but lacked lustre while hosting and couldn’t get the crowd roaring.
Well, don’t get disheartened Fawad. We still love you loads!
- MIRZYA GETS APPROVAL AND BLESSINGS FROM FILM INDUSTRY (YES)
Anil Kapoor’s second child, Harshvardhan Kapoor, is all set to make his Bollywood debut with a romantic drama, Mirzya. The film, set in rural Rajasthan, is based on the tragic love story of Mirza and Sahiba, with Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s direction and Gulzar Sahb’s screenplay.
Mirzya’s official trailer was screened at IIFA’s opening press conference and it managed to leave almost everyone in the audience in awe. Harshvardhan looks like a glorious warrior, gorgeously tanned with a bad boy sex appeal. Saiyami Kher, who is starring opposite him, does her role justice with wild hair and dusky seductiveness.
In fact, we all got to see the trailer twice that evening, thanks to Salman Khan, who requested a replay. Harshvardhan clearly has Bhai’s blessings – totally well deserved.
The movie is scheduled to hit cinemas on October 7 2016, and we are quiet excited to check out Harshvardan’s debut. Also, if he has half the style that his sister is known for, we’d be happy bunnies!
- LARA DUTTA SHARES HER SECRET TO BEING A SUPERWOMAN (YES, SMALL)
Lara Dutta has several hats on – actor, producer, wife and mom – and we couldn’t help ask her how she manages it all. She said: “It’s all about your dreams. When you become a wife and a mom, don’t stop being yourself. That’s the most important thing – be yourself. Don’t lose focus of who you are.”
- KARAN, FAWAD, MANISH, FARHAN AND SHAHID – WHO’S HOSTING WAS MOST APPLAUDED AT IIFA? (YES)
IIFA had a roster of A-list actors to host both IIFA Rocks and IIFA Awards. Karan Johar and Fawad Khan took over the stage of IIFA Rocks, with Manish Paul as a guest host. Farhan Akhtar and Shahid Kapoor got their host-hats on for IIFA Awards the next day, at the same venue, for a much bigger audience.
Hosting is not an easy job fellas. You need to be quick on your feet, there are a million ways things can go wrong, or VERY wrong, and your comic timing is all that matters. While Fawad, Farhan and Shahid have proven their mettle as acclaimed actors, they lacked just a little bit of zest to wow audience at IIFA as hosts. Karan, with his experience at ‘Koffee with Karan’ definitely had an edge.
However, the most loved and applauded was Manish Paul. He’s eccentric, hilarious and fantastic when interacting with celebrities. Best of it all – he goes unscripted most of the time, and you can’t beat that!
- Sooraj Pancholi says he needs to work on his dancing skills. We beg to differ. (YES)
The junior Pancholi was one of the main performers for IIFA Rocks. He danced to a medley of super hits, and did a fine (read: FANTASTIC) job. This new entrant has his moves in place, jaw-droopingly handsome body and had clearly rehearsed for many hours for his act.
We caught up with him the next day, and asked about his upcoming projects. He shyly told us that he thinks he needs to work on his dancing skills, and is okay with action for now.
We wanted to put our foot down, and tell him how amazing he was last night, but had to do with ‘no, you were great’. Exemplary restraint. Still, sad state of affairs I tell you!
- RANVEER IMITATES FAWAD’S FEMALE FANS AND WE CAN’T STOP LAUGHING. (YES)
Fawad Khan has a MASSIVE fan following, and it hasn’t gone unnoticed by Ranveer Singh. While talking to media at IIFA Awards green carpet, Ranveer saw Fawad approaching and acted like one of his female fans.
In a shrilly voice, he proclaimed his love for Fawad, and asked if he could get a hug. He literally hopped to him, fanning himself with his hands and embraced him. He was hilarious, and has clearly watched females go gaga over Fawad. And then he asked us all, “what happens to you guys when you see him??”
Kuch kuch hota hai Ranveer, tum nahi samjhoge.
- NEHA DHUPIA WORE $50 DRESS TO RED CARPET, AND LOOKED FANTASTIC! (YES)
She has been amiss from silver screen for almost two years – the last we saw Neha Dhupia was in Ungli and it was a delight to see her strutting down IIFA’s green carpet in a yellow cape over white pantsuit.
When asked about her designer, she proudly said, ‘it’s Marks & Spencer, for $50’. Her stylist had done a fantastic job to turn a high street label look designer, with pulled back sleek ponytail, smokey eyes and pink-nude lips.
She continued with high-street-brand-mantra for IIFA Awards as well, this time opting for a white gown from H&M. However, she failed to impress this time. It resembled vaguely to a matron’s outfit, with hair that didn’t quiet compliment the look.
Yay for sunny retro cape, boo for the nun’s outfit.
- DILJIT SONAJH WON HEARTS AT IIFA – HERE’S HOW. (YES)
You recently saw him as Sartaj Singh in Udta Punjab, and in countless Punjabi hits before that. Diljit has now made his mark in Bollywood, and if he isn’t your favourite yet, he surely will be after you see his performance at IIFA rocks.
Along with being a stellar actor, Diljit is also a trained singer, who started his musical journey singing Sikh music at local gurdwaras. Today, he has 11 albums and a number of film soundtracks under his belt.
For IIFA Rocks, he jammed on stage with award-winning composer Pritam Chakraboty and set the stage on fire. His energy was off the roof, and his respect for the stage and his seniors made us love him a little bit more. He took Pritam’s blessings and kissed the stage, and you could clearly see his devotion, respect and love for his craft.
He’s going place, and he will be unstoppable!
- NEWLY MARRIED BIPS AND KARAN TELL US THEIR SECRET PET NAMES – AND IT’S PRETTY ‘ANIMALISTIC’. (YES)
Bipasha Basu and Karan Singh Grover are a package now. You don’t see one without the other. They make an adorable couple, and are so obviously in love. They are now married for a little over two months, and revealing all sorts of cute little secrets.
The actors revealed that they call each other ‘monkey’. Yup, that’s Bips and Karan’s pet name. Cheeky, eh? And when we asked Missus about the cheekiest thing about Karan, she said, “Everything about him is cheeky. He looks cute and has a poker face most of the time, but is a real brat!” Karan, with a poker face, said Bips’ cheeks are the cheekiest.
Amm, we will ignore that and focus on how gorgeous they look together instead!
- DEEPIKA DEDICATES HER IIFA PERFORMANCE TO A VERY SPECIAL MAN. (YES)
It was rumoured that Deepika Padukone was paid Rs.3,300,000 per minute for her performance at IIFA Awards. This alone was enough to incite our excitement. When she got on stage last weekend, we saw some of the best on-stage theatrics and production at play. It was a display of best in technology, screen projection, set design and usage of props.
While other performers opted for a mix of their hits, Deepika chose to perform to a medley of songs from Bajirao Mastani only. She danced with such zest and passion that we were afraid to blink – we couldn’t miss a second of that enthralling performance.
Once it ended, guess who was the first one to stand up to applaud her? Ranveer Singh! Yes, he got up, smiling ear-to-ear, and applauded with unmasked love and admiration.
To which our femme fatale mouthed, ‘Only for you.”
We couldn’t help but sigh dreamily.
- VIKRAM PHADNIS BROUGHT ALL THE BOYS (AND GIRLS) TO YARD – INCLUDING SANJU BABA. (YES)
Vikram Phadnis showcased a stunning collection at IIFA Rocks, with intricate silver embroidery and embellishments set against charcoal velvet and silk. What was equally stunning was his choice of showstoppers, comprising not one or two but five A-list celebrities.
Dia Mirza was the first to make an appearance. She wore a high neck peplum top, with Phadnis’ signature silver embroidery, and a zipper from waist to neck. Her cinched waist was further accentuated with a full charcoal skirt, sprinkled with silver dust.
Following her were the newly wed Bipasha Basu and Kiran Singh Grover, walking down the ramp hand in hand. And then came the star of the hour, Sunjay Dutt. He has cleaned up well, and looked ever so handsome. Athiya Shetty and Phadnis shortly joined him on stage, exchanging hugs, kisses and smiles.
Now we can’t wait to see our favourite Khalnayak back on screen with a blockbuster!
Shaheen Rajan 