Mumbai, Aug 10 (IANS): One of the important awards given out during the IIFA Awards 2022 at Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, was the one presented to a man who has literally launched a thousand faces.

Yogesh Lakhani, Chairman and Managing Director, Bright Outdoor Pvt. Ltd., was felicitated by Salman Khan, Varun Dhawan and Ananya Pandey for providing outdoor media solutions to the film industry since 1987.

From the three mega Khans -- Salman, Shah Rukh and Aamir -- to Akshay Kumar, Hritihik Roshan, Katrina Kaif, Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, Shahid Kapoor, Arjun Kapoor, Ranbir Kapoor and Ayushmann Khurrana, Bright has launched Bollywood's most famous faces in public spaces.

The outdoor media mogul's association with IIFA goes back to the show's inception more than two decades ago. Every 10 years when IIFA unveils a new trophy, the show organisers also felicitate Lakhani.

Recalling his old association, Lakhani said: "The first time around when I was felicitated by IIFA, I was awarded the trophy by Amitabh Bachchan. It was a big day for me, to be felicitated by the biggest icon of the Hindi film industry. I felt so appreciated by this gesture."

Talking about his IIFA 2022 award, Lakhani said: "It felt great to receive this trophy from Salman Bhai. He's my very good friend and I think I can proudly say that I am his good friend too. I have some great memories with Salman Bhai and whenever we meet we have a friendly banter going on and it is very contagious for everyone around us. He's a gem of a person."

On Varun and Ananya, both of whom are from Bollywood families, he said: :I have been in this business since 1987 and I have literally seen both these kids grow up in front of me. To receive this appreciation from them meant a lot to me."

No stranger to accolades, the Bright Outdoor CMD has been honoured with a doctorate and also won numerous awards both in India and overseas. His company has more than 1,000 clients in the entertainment, FMCG and corporate verticals.