It was a long weekend in Canada, remember. As one of the largest turnout ever the Indians a three-day International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Toronto awed all Bollywood extravaganza - celebrities, dance, music, color and glamor!
Many NRI Indians, it was an opportunity to participate in their roots, and that more Indian Punjabi wedding, they dressed up in their fineries and other ethnic groups, it was a perfect window film in the cultural wonders of India.
"The last time I saw the Indians had such a turnout Temptations Tour 2006. But there was a massive event IIFA. So many American Indians stood to cheer for Bollywood. It was a truly memorable experience," Alfreeda Islam, a student here, told IANS.
Day after day, was the influx of fans and audience members a steady increase in the Fairmont Royal Park Hotel in downtown Toronto - and it was not just Indians who queud add up frenzy. Eager to foreigners was equally upbeat about the taste of Indian cinema.
Weekend IIFA kickstarted Thursday a number of Bollywood celebrities like Boman Irani, Dia Mirza, Riteish Deshmukh, Mallika Sherawat, Bipasha Basu and Jermaine Jackson International Artist at the inaugural press conference.
In the evening I saw a star-studded green carpet event for the world premiere of "Double Dhamaal 'on the Silver City Theatre in Brampton, when he saw hundreds of fans.
The second day saw IIFA-FICCI Global Business Forum, where prominent such countries discussed ways to strengthen tourism, industry and co-productions. Around the same time, Ontario was named Shah Rukh Khan taste phenomena.
Hundreds gathered in the lobby of the Fairmont Royal York Hotel to welcome the King Khan, one of the most popular Bollywood stars.
Making his return after a IIFA six years, Shah Rukh came despite knee injury, and broke into an impromptu jig just for the fans the moment he came into the hotel's premises. For a lot of fanatics, had a glimpse of the "lifetime opportunity". People flew to Los Angeles, Montreal, Chicago and even Afghanistan, among other things, right now, which can be "as close as it gets" to SRK.
While the Shah Rukh magic continued in all the charm, and his friend-turned-enemy of Salman Khan's debut co-production "Chiller Party" kicks off with IIFA Film Festival, but sans Salman. The actor had to attend the event, but could not because of his shooting schedule for "bodyguard".
Raj Kapoor on the street baptism took place on day two of IIFA. Brampton Mayor Susan Fennell was a popular Welcome to the Kapoor family - the widow of Raj Krishna Raj Kapoor, his sons, Randhir, Rishi and Rajiv and daughter-in-law Ritu, Reema and Neetu, because he unvelied poster that read Raj Kapoor Crescent. The poster will be a new street built in the city.
There were many fans waited for Pop Rocks IIFA night - music and fashion event, which left many in awe, you are able to Bollywood. Ricoh Coliseum saw a flurry of fans once again vying to see, touch and talk about their favorite celebrities.
Hosted by Karan Johar and Anushka Sharma, saw a performance of American music IIFA Rocks Jermaine, who also teamed up with Indian singer Sonu Niigaam to pay tribute to his younger brother, the late King of Pop Michael Jackson.
When I saw the models and the fusion of fashion and music creations Indian designers Sabyasachi Mukherjee Rajesh Pratap Singh, Vikram Phadnis and Canada Bay clothing store, larger than life sashayed down the ramp, the music director trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy plays a medley of his songs in the background.
Show Stopper as Brett Lee, Rahul Khanna, Zayed Khan, Neha Dhupia and Sonakshi Sinha, retro performance Dia Mirza, Mallika Sherawat dance a cheeky, energetic, RDB, and shows the Canadian rockers rock mix qawalli Sonu Niigaam captivated audience.
The last day saw the two worlds together, as Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, lyricist Javed Akhtar and Vishal Bharadwaj composers Salim Merchant, and the music workshop to share and promote the music of both countries. After an interactive session the audience Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and Javed have come together to live, and Salim Merchant create gave an impromptu piano performance.
In the evening I saw people filling up the Roger Centre. There were an estimated 30,000 people outside the Great Hall, and the ever encouraged by anyone who has walked the green carpet.
Shah Rukh had heard cheers and "Slumdog Millionaire", the actor Anil Kapoor, as she ushered the guest of honor at a surprise show, Oscar-winner Hilary Swank. Actor Cuba Gooding Jr. made a surprise element to an event where the star power and fan turnout was another issue, which has seen IIFA.
The biggest show sparkled with brilliant performances, prices and distribution of Bollywood magic. But one hopes the buzz will translate IIFA caused by increased tourism and business opportunities in both countries.
