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IIFA connects India with other countries: Amitabh Bachchan
16th Apr 2008 13.01 IST
By Agencies

It may be regarded in film circles as the best showcase of Indian cinema abroad but mega superstar Amitabh Bachchan believes that the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards have over the years truly become means to build bridges between India and other countries and nationalities.

''What was originally meant to be just another recognition of Indian cinema talent abroad has gradually grown into something bigger and larger and, if I may say so, something that has become a great essential link between the host country and India,'' Bachchan, who is also the brand ambassador of IIFA, said at an event in New Delhi Tuesday night to unveil the nominations for the ninth edition of the IIFA, scheduled to be held in Bangkok on June 8.

While admitting that in the past eight years, IIFA had indeed played a significant role in increasing Indian cinema's popularity in foreign countries, Bachchan said the past eight editions of the awards, held across six countries all over the globe, had also served to fructify the association that existed between India and the countries where the event had been held - beginning from London in 2000, South Africa in 2001, Malaysia in 2002, Johannesburg in 2003, Amsterdam in 2004, Dubai in 2006 to Yorkshire last year.

''Everywhere we have been we have built wonderful bridges of association not just with the people of the countries that we visit but also with their business, film industry and with their tourism.

One can say that from the first IIFA in London to the ninth IIFA, scheduled to be held in Bangkok, it has been a delightful journey,'' the Big B said.

In this context, Bachchan said he was looking forward to visiting Bangkok for the ninth IIFA.

''We have heard so many great things about Thailand - about their country, their scenic beauty and about their culture. I have had the good fortune of shooting a film of mine in Thailand some years ago. It was a working trip but I must say it was the most enlightening moments of my life,'' he said.

Bachchan said his reason for becoming the brand ambassador for IIFA, which has now come to be recognized as the "Indian Oscars", eight years ago stemmed from his desire to see a produce of Indian origin going beyond Indian shores.

''We are now in our ninth IIFA and I hope that we continue for many years to come because I truly believe that this tradition is truly what is taking Indian cinema beyond Indian shores,'' he added.

Present at the unveiling of the IIFA nominations were the general secretary of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) Amit Mitra, Thailand Ambassador to India Khun Chirasak, chief marketing officer of the IDEA cellular (partners for the awards) Pradeep Srivastava, head of the tourism authority of Thailand in India Chattan Ayushya, the CEO of the PVR Group Ajay Bijli and Directors of Wizcraft International (the organisers of IIFA) Andre Timmins, Sabas Joseph and Viraaf Sarkari.

The event also witnessed the showcasing of the IIFA bling collection, an exclusive fashion line inspired by the glamour and glitz of Indian cinema, at a fashion show. Noted fashion designers Vikram Phadnis, Bina Kapur, Rina Chopra and other leading fashion designers have contributed to IIFA bling fashion lines.

Vikram Phadnis' designs draw inspiration from the forthcoming film Bhootnath , starring Bachchan and Juhi Chawla .

The announcement of nominations for the IIFA awards, 2008, to be held in Siam Niramit in Bangkok on June 8 as a climax of the IIFA weekend, comes following the industry inviting for the awards in March.

Results for the industry voting were audited by PriceWaterhouse Coopers, the audition firm for the IIFA and the Oscars.

Voting by fans and supporters of Indian cinema is now open on www.iifabuzz.com that began Tuesday and will continue till the end of May. The results of online voting would determine the winners of the IIFA awards.

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