Tampa Bay, Florida: Bollywood bombshell Bipasha Basu claimed she was suffering from a severe case of jet lag after having flown from India to Florida to attend the 15th edition of International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA) on Thursday night.
It looks like the rest of the Bollywood contingent were afflicted with it too, as the green carpet laid out for IIFA Rocks began two hours late and the stars were trickling in with frustrating slowness.
“I was rehearsing today for my performance outdoors and I realised how hot it was. I don’t how the dancers are doing it … jet lag has hit me bad this time. I can’t seem to wake up,” said Basu. Dressed in a dull gold Gaurav Gupta and a mop of sexy curls, she seemed to have cleaned up good.
“I have a special connect with Florida. My journey with show business started right here when I won a modeling contest and I have a come a long way,” said Basu, who was game to speak about anything under the sun including relationships and politics.
“I am in love and he’s wonderful,” said Basu, who shied away from taking her boyfriend Harman Baweja’s name. She also expressed her disappointment at not being able to cast her vote since IIFAs fell on the same days as the Lok Sabha election polls.
“We were all committed to IIFAs, but I am disappointed that I couldn’t vote. But we all want our country to develop in every possible manner and the corruption to go down so that it becomes a progressive nation,” said Basu, who spent the day at the Seaquarium in Miami.
In love with Florida
Priyanka Chopra, dressed in a strapless Prabal Gurung dress and blue heels, said she was in love with Florida.
“I have lots of family here and I come to Miami often. I hope to see more of Tampa in the coming days but I have a busy schedule lined up,” said Chopra, who will head to New York to promote her next single I Can’t Make You Love Me after the awards extravaganza.
“It’s my take on Bonnie Raitt ballad and speaks about all the heartbreaks and tears shed. We have all been there,” said Chopra.
Keeping fingers crossed
Actress Nimrat Kaur, who has been nominated in the Best Actress category for her role as a bored housewife in the delectable romance The Lunchbox, said she was keeping her fingers crossed as she’s up against awards-favourite Deepika Padukone and Sonakshi Sinha.
“It’s my first film and it feels wonderful to be nominated for my first attempt,” said Kaur, who looked peach perfect in a salmon-coloured pouffy dress.
Aditi Rao Hydari, who looked sharp purple suit with a plunging V suit, was in an amicable mood. She sang, smiled and pouted for the camera.
“I got to play with the dolphins today and I am looking forward to hitting the beaches,” said Hydari of Murder 3 fame.
Meanwhile Richa Chadda, who was wearing an Alexander McQueen jumpsuit, was looking forward to having some fun with her girlfriends on the beach.
“Am I allowed to say this: but I just want to chill out,” said Chadda.
It looked like the other stars had already begun doing so, judging by the questionable turnout.
IIFA Rocks is an evening that blends fashion and music. This year, designers Manish Malhotra and Vikram Phadnis showcased their collection.
