Bollywood magic comes alive in Florida at IIFAs

Tampa: Bollywood royalty Saif Ali Khan, who was called on to host the technical awards night at the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards on Friday night, raised a valid point when he said that flashing Bollywood hunk Hrithik Roshan’s face got the crowd excited instantly.

Translation? Tampa was starving for some Bollywood action and that Khan wasn’t charming enough to hold the crowd together for a four-hour-spectacle at Mid Florida Credit Union Amphitheatre, an outdoor venue.

However, like any event involving Bollywood stars, the wait was long (the stars arrived on the green carpet more than two hours late). But all was forgiven when the Krrish 3 star’s chiselled face flashed on the giant screen.

“I won the awards for Special Effects for Krrish 3. But let me tell you that my biggest special effect is the effect that you fans have on me,” said Roshan. The words were barely out when thousands of movie-mad Indians roared their approval.

Actress Deepika Padukone, who is one of the strong contenders for the Best Actress award this year, matched up to Roshan’s charm. On stage to collect the Best Choreography for her blockbuster Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, Padukone and her co-star Kalki Koechlin did an impromptu dance on stage humming Badtameez Dil. In a shimmering dull gold Sabyasachi gown, she owned the moves, while her dainty co-star Koechlin was finding it tough to keep up with her.

But these stars weren’t the heroes of the night. Farhan Akhtar’s biopic Bhaag Milkha Bhaag swept nine technical awards including Best Dialogue, Best Screenplay and Best Costume Designing. The Indian athlete Milkha Singh, on whom the film was based, was seated in the front row.

“I am happy with the way my story has been told by Farhan and team. The film sent a great message to Indians that if you have willpower, you can overpower anything,” said Singh on the green carpet.

On the performance front, actresses Sonakshi Sinha, Bipasha Basu and Kareena Kapoor were in top form as they performed to a medley of hits. While Kapoor chose to dance to old Bollywood songs such as Bahon Mein Chale Aao, Basu chose the latest chart toppers, including Lungi Dance.

“I am in love with Lungi Dance and I thought Shah Rukh was fabulous in it. My performance is a celebration of all things Bollywood,” said Basu.