Bollywood brings the heat at IIFA

Rekha returns and Ananya shares her favourite Pakistani actors

Bollywood's biggest stars descended on Abu Dhabi's Yas Island this weekend, transforming the 2024 IIFA Awards into a dazzling celebration of Hindi cinema. True to Bollywood's larger-than-life style, the event delivered all the glamour and drama the audience expected, with moments that lingered long after the stars left the stage.

One of the biggest pulls of the night was undoubtedly the trio of hosts: Shah Rukh, Karan Johar, and Vicky Kaushal. The three megastars played off each other effortlessly, their chemistry electric whether they were on stage together or in pairs. From witty banter and lighthearted roasting to energetic dance-offs, the three hosts kept the energy high.

Everything Pakistani

Shah Rukh also set social media abuzz when he and rising star Ananya Panday posed for a stylish hand-in-hand photo that sent the internet into a frenzy. After the event, Ananya took to Instagram to post a carousel of photos, but it was the first snap that really stole the show. The Call Me Bae actor was dressed in a stunning gold ensemble by Pakistani designer Faraz Manan, standing beside Shah Rukh. To further cement her moment in the spotlight, Ananya was asked on the red carpet about her favorite Pakistani actors, to which she replied, "My favorite actress is Mahira Khan. And actor? Fawad Khan." Her response, along with her Faraz Manan look, left no doubt about her love for Pakistani culture.

The performances, as always, were central to the evening's success, and no one electrified the stage quite like Shahid Kapoor. Known for his impeccable dancing skills thanks to his training with famed choreographer Shiamak Davar, Kapoor kicked off the night with a powerful solo performance of Akhiyan Gulaab. But it didn't stop there. The performance quickly transformed into a star-studded medley, with Shahid inviting Kriti Sanon, Prabhu Deva, Bobby Deol, and Anil Kapoor to join him. Each actor brought their signature moves, whether it was Kriti's grace in Laal Peeli Akhiyaan or Prabhu's iconic Muqabla, but it was the energy of Anil in Nach Punjaban that really lit up the night.

Meanwhile, Vicky, fresh off his appearance in the critically panned film Bad Newz, made sure the night was anything but bad news for his fans. The viral hit song Tauba Tauba from the film turned him into an overnight dancing sensation, and it was only a matter of time before he performed it on stage. When he did, the crowd went wild. Despite the film's lukewarm reception, Vicky's energetic dance moves made it clear he's a force to be reckoned with on the dance floor, regardless of box office performance.

Proof that age is just a number

But perhaps the most anticipated moment of the night was the return of the legendary Rekha to the IIFA stage. The fiercely private star has long remained elusive, both in terms of her personal life and her on-screen appearances, so when it was announced that she would perform, the audience was abuzz with excitement. Dressed in a pink and gold outfit adorned with Kundan-style jewelry, Rekha was a vision as she took the stage for a 20-minute medley of retro songs. Performing classics like Mohe Panghat Pe, Piya Tose Naina Laage Re, and Pardesiya, the 69-year-old moved with the same grace that made her a superstar almost five decades ago.

Choreographed by Ganesh Acharya, the performance was a nostalgic trip down memory lane for many, and it solidified Rekha's timeless allure. Fans took to social media to gush over her, with one commenting, "Wow she looks insane! Stunning and beautiful as ever!" Another called her "unmatched," praising her ageless beauty and poise. The night marked her return to the IIFA stage after almost five years, and it was a performance no one will soon forget.

The big wins

The film Animal, directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga and starring Ranbir Kapoor and Anil Kapoor, swept multiple categories. Anil won Best Supporting Actor for his role, while Bobby snagged the Best Performance in a Negative Role award for his portrayal of the villain Abrar. During his teary-eyed acceptance speech, Bobby said, "Thank you... It makes a difference when I hear it in your voices that I should win this award." He then surprised the audience by performing the hook step from his hit song Jamal Kudu, all while balancing a glass of water on his head. For those unfamiliar, Jamal Kudu is an Iranian track recreated for Animal, marking Abrar's grand entrance in the film.

Meanwhile, Rani Mukerji took home the Best Actress award for her powerful role in Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway. Her acceptance speech was heartfelt and moving, as she spoke about the universal themes of maternal love and resilience that made the film resonate with audiences worldwide. "It feels incredible to be standing here, receiving the Best Actress Award amid such a warm and wonderful audience and my friends and colleagues from my fraternity for one of the most special films of my career," she said. Mukerji's win was significant, as Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway became one of the first content-driven films to achieve major success post-pandemic, reaffirming the power of storytelling.

Capping the event as co-host before walking off with the coveted Best Actor prize for his role in Jawan, Shah Rukh said, "I just want to tell you it's good to be back, I love awards, I'm greedy about awards… I think I have a little happiness from the audience this year because I worked again after a long time," he added.