Khaleej Times
Jun 17, 2006
File Pics: The Post

DUBAI — Tight security and lack of proper arrangements by organisers of the IIFA Weekend Award 2006 saw winners and their relatives out in the cold at the Dubai Airport Expo last night.

The much-awaited event was off to a late start and an endless wait for lovers of Indian cinema. Lots of technical glitches during the show shed light on poor organisation of the awards evening.

However, red seemed to be the colour of the evening with almost all presenters, nominees and winners adorned in the colour. With almost everyone from the Bollywood film fraternity present, except for Shahrukh Khan, the award evening did not lack the luster and glamour it is famous for.

IIFA Brand Ambassdor and Bollywood Superstar Amitabh Bachchan who opened the evening said: “IIFA has become a journey of the Indian cinema and has become a pilgrimage for Indian film lovers.” Amidst loud cheers, Indian film Black swept all popular awards. With Sanjay Leela Bhansali having bagged the Best Director award for Black, Amitabh Bachchan was declared the best actor in leading role male for his powerful performance in Black. Rani Mukerjee received the Best performance award in leading role female for the same film.

IIFA awards, considered to be among the most prestigious Indian cinema awards, are decided by viewers’ votes.

Asha Parekh, leading Indian actress from yesteryear was presented a special award for her outstanding achievement and contribution to Indian cinema.

Preity Zinta was the recipient of Idea Glamour award at IIFA. Both the technical and popular awards seemed to have tilted for the popular films Black and Bunti Aur Babli. Alisha Chinoy received the best playback singer-female for the number Kajrare from Bunti Aur Babli, while the male playback singer award was received by Himesh Reshamiya for the track Aashiq Banaya Aapne.

Best music director went to Shankar Ehsan Loy for Bunti Aur Babli and the Idea Glamour award was presented to Preity Zinta.

Aysha Kapoor bagged the best supporting actor-female award for her brilliant performance in Black and Abhishek Bachchan for his role in Sarkar. A special award for the most popular film in the UAE went to the film No Entry.

The host for the evening were none other than the eloquent Karan Johar, accompanied by dashing Fardeen Khan and Former Miss Universe Lara Dutta.

The next IIFA award 2007 will be held at Yorkshire in the United Kingdom, announced the organisers.