Toronto, Jun 23 : The world's biggest Bollywood bash in the North American city of Canada begins here today, as India's cinematic royalty descends on the city to mark their entry in the American-Indian community.
The lavish, three-day showcase of film, music and fashion known as the International Indian Film Academy(IIFA) celebrations promises to unleash a cavalcade of Indian song, dance and matinee idols. It all leads up to a performance-laden awards ceremony set for Saturday that is often-described as the Indian Oscars.
Indian actor Boman Irani, who will co-host the festivities at the Rogers Centre, promises all the subtlety of an impromptu Bollywood group-singing when festivities officially launch while his co-hosts of Saturday's bash with Ritesh Deshmukh, who landed in Toronto will introduce his feature, "Double Dhamaal" with co-star Mallika Sherawat at a gala screening tonight.
King Khan along with his family is expected to reach Toronto this afternoon while Roshan family including Hritik, Javed and Shabana Azmi, Anil Kapoor and several others have reached the city.
The awards bash has proven to be the hot ticket of the weekend. All 16,000 of the 22,000 tickets available to the public sold out in minutes. Irani, who reached here yesterday along with other actors told UNI that there's going to be lots of songs and dance, lots of colours, besides lots of fun and the people of Toronto would be able to see their actors performing in front of them.
More than 200 filmmakers and stars are expected from India and overseas, including three generations of the famed Kapoor clan headed by legendary patriarch Raj Kapoor, the Deol dynasty including Dharmendra and his sons Sunny and Bobby, superstar Shah RukhKhan, "Slumdog Millionaire" actor Anil Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra.
There would be the premier of the film 'Chillar Party' tomorrow.
Various star-studded events include a film festival, music workshop, business forum and a music and fashion extravaganza known as IIFA Rocks expected to be hosted by Saif Ali Khan.
Marquee concert tomorrow is expected to feature Jermaine Jackson in a special performance to commemorate the second anniversary of his brother Michael's death.
TIFF Bell Lightbox, the home of the Toronto International Film Festival will hosts a salute to the Kapoor dynasty on Sunday when the clan is expected to walk a red carpet and discuss their long and influential career.
After moving through Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Far East now IIFA has come to North America. The 12-year-old celebrations have previously been held in London, Malaysia, Dubai, Amsterdam, Singapore, Bangkok, Macau and Johannesburg.
The multimillion-dollar show is being billed as the biggest production in the film academy's history. Organizers estimate the elaborate staging involves between 800 and 1,000 performers, crew, designers, production managers, and talent .
Indian actor Boman Irani, who will co-host the festivities at the Rogers Centre, promises all the subtlety of an impromptu Bollywood group-singing when festivities officially launch while his co-hosts of Saturday's bash with Ritesh Deshmukh, who landed in Toronto will introduce his feature, "Double Dhamaal" with co-star Mallika Sherawat at a gala screening tonight.
King Khan along with his family is expected to reach Toronto this afternoon while Roshan family including Hritik, Javed and Shabana Azmi, Anil Kapoor and several others have reached the city.
The awards bash has proven to be the hot ticket of the weekend. All 16,000 of the 22,000 tickets available to the public sold out in minutes. Irani, who reached here yesterday along with other actors told UNI that there's going to be lots of songs and dance, lots of colours, besides lots of fun and the people of Toronto would be able to see their actors performing in front of them.
More than 200 filmmakers and stars are expected from India and overseas, including three generations of the famed Kapoor clan headed by legendary patriarch Raj Kapoor, the Deol dynasty including Dharmendra and his sons Sunny and Bobby, superstar Shah RukhKhan, "Slumdog Millionaire" actor Anil Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra.
There would be the premier of the film 'Chillar Party' tomorrow.
Various star-studded events include a film festival, music workshop, business forum and a music and fashion extravaganza known as IIFA Rocks expected to be hosted by Saif Ali Khan.
Marquee concert tomorrow is expected to feature Jermaine Jackson in a special performance to commemorate the second anniversary of his brother Michael's death.
TIFF Bell Lightbox, the home of the Toronto International Film Festival will hosts a salute to the Kapoor dynasty on Sunday when the clan is expected to walk a red carpet and discuss their long and influential career.
After moving through Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Far East now IIFA has come to North America. The 12-year-old celebrations have previously been held in London, Malaysia, Dubai, Amsterdam, Singapore, Bangkok, Macau and Johannesburg.
The multimillion-dollar show is being billed as the biggest production in the film academy's history. Organizers estimate the elaborate staging involves between 800 and 1,000 performers, crew, designers, production managers, and talent .