The 23rd edition of IIFA weekend and awards is back by popular demand at Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

The biggest celebration of Indian cinema, the International Indian Film Academy and Awards (IIFA), returns with its 23rd edition to Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, on February 9th, 10th, and 11th, 2023.

To kick start the countdown, a press conference was held in Mumbai. Present on the occasion were Salman Khan, Farhan Akhtar, Varun Dhawan, Maniesh Paul, Karan Johar, Farah Khan, Badshah, Sunidhi Chauhan, Amit Trivedi and Nucleya who will take center stage with other Bollywood A-listers like Ranveer Singh, Kriti Sanon, Nora Fatehi, Jacqueline Fernandez, Rakul Preet Singh and many more at the mega grand awards.

They were joined by Nouf Al-Boushelaibi, Director of Strategic Marketing & Communications at DCT Abu Dhabi, Executive Director of Group Communications and Destination Marketing, Miral - Taghrid AlSaeed and Shashank Srivastava, Senior Executive Director, Marketing and Sales, Maruti Suzuki India and Nishant Pitti, CEO and Co-Founder of Ease My Trip.

The highly-anticipated event is being held in collaboration with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), and Miral, Abu Dhabi's leading curator of immersive destinations and experiences. NEXA continues its partnership as the title sponsor for the seventh consecutive edition.

Salman Khan has been a part of the IIFA family for over two decades now. "I am glad to be going back to Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Last edition, I hosted the awards with Ritesh Deshmukh and Maniesh Paul and made everyone present not just laugh, but cry too as I opened my heart to them. This time, I promise to make them stand up and dance with me as we celebrate Indian cinema globally," he asserted.

The IIFA stage will also be lit up with the best of Varun Dhawan. The versatile actor who won trophies in 2015 and 2017 for performance in a comic role, is delighted to perform for the third time. 

Also in attendance at the media interaction was Farhan Akhtar, who will be taking over the baton from Salman Khan. Farhan will co-host the IIFA Awards with Abhishek Bachchan and Maniesh Paul. "I have been fortunate to be felicitated by IIFA in a number of categories, from best debut to best actor, best-supporting actor, best director, best story, best screenplay and best film. It gives you the biggest audience and I am looking forward to engaging with and entertaining them in a new role," an ebullient Farhan shared.

Farah hosted IIFA Rocks this year with Aparshakti Khurrana and she can't wait to be back in Yas Island.

For Badshah, IIFA Rocks underlines Bollywood's supremacy in the world of entertainment. 

Sunidhi Chauhan, the youngest IIFA nominee, reminded us that IIFA has grown from one starry night to a three-day extravaganza.

The forthcoming edition of IIFA Rocks – the biggest musical extravaganza will be hosted by Karan Johar and Farah Khan.

It will feature live acts by several big names, including singer-composer Amit Trivedi, rapper-singer Badshah, singer Sunidhi Chauhan and electronic music producer Nucleya.

The IIFA Weekend and Awards is back at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, for the second time. Nouf Al-Boushelaibi, Director of Strategic Marketing & Communications at DCT Abu Dhabi, underlined the emirates strategic alliance with the Indian market and its bond with the Bollywood fraternity and industry.

Taghrid AlSaeed, Executive Director of Group Communications and Destination Marketing, Miral, also believes that the partnership with IIFA will strengthen the bonds between India, Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates (UAE): "It will give a boost to trade, tourism and film production opportunities with Yas Island reinforcing its claim as the fast-growing global entertainment and leisure destination, as well as an international events hub," she explained.

Mr. Shashank Srivastava, Senior Executive Officer, Marketing and Sales, Maruti Suzuki India said, "NEXA has always been at the forefront of innovations and Curating Impeccable Experiences that not only Impress but Inspire.By foraying into the fields of Fashion, Music and Journeys, NEXA has successfully created and inspired multiple unique experiences for its customers. It is for this very reason that NEXA has collaborated with IIFA, which is a platform to recognize India's top creative talent in the world of cinema and celebrate the best in cinema arts. The association is in its 7th year and both NEXA and IIFA are challenging the status-quo to create experiences that are unique and inspiring. With IIFA, we have a perfect association as we share a common vision of creating global experiences, which has established the premium imagery of both the brands. We look forward to IIFA 2023 which will be held at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi to inspire our new-age consumers who seek global experiences in their everyday lives."

Commenting on the event, Nishant Pitti, CEO & Co-Founder, EaseMyTrip.com said, "We are thrilled to be associated with IIFA once again for its 23rd edition. IIFA Awards are one of the most celebrated events in Bollywood and across the globe. It highlights the best of Indian cinema giving the ultimate entertainment experience globally. As the official travel partner, we endeavour to offer an unmatched experience to each and every one who is going to be a part of this once-in-a-lifetime event. We are going to offer special packages to ensure Bollywood fans from India and the Middle East regions can enjoy the celebrations in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, UAE.

FOR FURTHER DETAILS VISIT

● IIFA Website www.iifa.com

● IIFA social media handles:

● Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/iifa

● Twitter - https://twitter.com/iifa

● Facebook -

For further queries, please contact: Wizspk Communications |PR [email protected]

About IIFA (International Indian Film Academy)

IIFA is dedicated to building bridges across cinemas, businesses, communities and nations, creating everyone's dream: "One People. One World". 

IIFA is the most appreciated South Asian film academy and a global platform that gives the Indian film fraternity an opportunity to reach audiences in international territories. 

The alliances made via the platform of IIFA provide huge benefits and gain to India and an equally important objective is to create similar benefits in the host country. 

The aim is to establish a system of mutual benefit to both India as well as the host destinations by boosting tourism, economic development, trade, culture, cross-border investments and film co-productions.

The IIFA Weekend & Awards each year travels to new, exciting and beautiful destinations, taking the film fraternity to unite and celebrate the best of Indian film and culture, thereby taking Indian Cinema and India to a wider audience. www.iifa.com

About Miral

Miral is Abu Dhabi's creator of destinations, uniting people and places through unique, immersive and exciting experiences. Responsible for the development and management of Yas Island, Miral's assets encompass entertainment, hospitality, leisure, sport, dining and retail destinations. Today, Yas Island is home to Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, CLYMB™️ Abu Dhabi, Yas Links Golf Course, Yas Mall, Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Marina and eight hotels, including Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island located on Yas Bay, the soon to be Abu Dhabi's premier waterfront destination. For more information, visit http://www.miral.ae

About the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) drives the sustainable growth of Abu Dhabi's culture and tourism sectors and its creative industries, fueling economic progress and helping to achieve Abu Dhabi's wider global ambitions. By working in partnership with the organizations that define DCT Abu Dhabi's position as a leading international destination, DCT Abu Dhabi strives to unite the ecosystem around a shared vision of the DCT Abu Dhabi's potential, coordinate effort and investment, deliver innovative solutions, and use the best tools, policies and systems to support the culture, tourism and creative industries. DCT Abu Dhabi's vision is defined by the emirate's people, heritage and landscape. We work to enhance Abu Dhabi's status as a place of authenticity, innovation, and unparalleled experiences, represented by its living traditions of hospitality, pioneering initiatives and creative thought.

For more information about DCT Abu Dhabi and the destination, please visit tcaabudhabi.ae and visitabudhabi.ae.

About Yas Island

Yas Island is one of the world's fastest-growing leisure and entertainment destinations, located on the golden shores of Abu Dhabi - just 20 minutes from downtown Abu Dhabi and 50 minutes from Dubai. Yas Island offers holiday makers a diverse mix of award-winning leisure and entertainment experiences, from one-of-a-kind theme parks, world-class shopping and superb dining, to a links golf course, exciting water and motor sports, and spectacular musical, entertainment and family events all within the 25 sq km Island. Today, Yas Island is home to the award-winning theme parks Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, the record-breaking CLYMB™️ Abu Dhabi, Yas Marina Circuit (home to the FORMULA 1 ETIHAD AIRWAYS ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX™️), Yas Marina, the award-winning Yas Links golf course, as well as Abu Dhabi's largest mall, Yas Mall. With hotels, including W Abu Dhabi - Yas Island, Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island, Crowne Plaza Yas Island Abu Dhabi, Yas Island Rotana, Centro Yas Island by Rotana, Radisson Blu Hotel Abu Dhabi Yas Island, Park Inn by Radisson Hotel Abu Dhabi Yas Island and Staybridge Suites Abu Dhabi Yas Island, plus more than 165 dining experiences, the destination also features indoor and outdoor concert venues including WHITE and Etihad Arena - all of which are complemented by a range of visitor services that connect all attractions to one another.