The International-Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA), which were all set to be held in the UAE (United Arab Emirates) for the first time after 2006, have been now postponed.
The event, which was to be held on Saturday, May 14, will now be postponed to July 14 to 16 after the demise of Sheikh Khalifa, President of the UAE. This is as per directives of UAE officials of following a 40-day official mourning period in the country.
The IIFA Awards and Weekend were to be held at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island, featuring dance performances by some of the most prominent Indian celebrities across two days, on Friday and Saturday, 13 and 14 May, with many of the top films and main leads of the last year to be honoured during the second night.
A statement read, “The International Indian Film Academy and the Indian Film industry expresses its deepest consolations to the people of the UAE and the world on the death of the President of the UAE, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.”
“In solidarity with the people and leaders of the UAE and with the national mourning being observed, the 22nd edition of the IIFA Weekend & Awards to be conducted on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi from the 19th to 21st of May 2022 has been delayed.”
Bollywood celebrities Ranveer Singh, Sara Ali Khan and Kartik Aaryan were set to perform at the IIFA 2022 in Abu Dhabi with a couple of other stars.
The organisers said that further details regarding the new schedule would be shared soon.
“IIFA expresses its apologies to all the lovers and ticketholders and vows a bigger, more exciting celebration of the India-UAE friendship later.”
“The respective companies will contact customers who have bought tickets and packages to reschedule for the event’s new dates.”
IIFA Awards were first held in 2000 in London and were conceptualised by Wizcraft International Entertainment, a Mumbai event company, to honour the best Hindi movies and talents of the last year. Every year, it is held in a different country and has helped boost Bollywood’s popularity all around the world.