Amitabh Bachchan in Macau announcing the IIFA 2009

exclusive by Devansh Patel


Now imagine Mr Bachchan taking a Gondola ride after thirty long years. That's exactly what happened when the IIFA Brand Ambassador, Amitabh Bachchan reached the beautiful city of Macau to promote the upcoming IIFA Awards 2009.

Like always, the VIDEOCON IIFA Weekend is a culmination of mega events that brings Indian cinema to the world. The Videocon IIFA Weekend includes the high-profile FICCI IIFA Global Business Forum, the IIFA Fashion Extravaganza, world premieres of Indian films and the climax of the Weekend, the spectacular IDEA IIFA Awards. The IDEA IIFA Awards is the biggest South Asian media event and is considered among the most-watched global annual events. Tickets to the IDEA IIFA Awards in CotaiArena™ will be available in various price categories. Bookings can be made online at www.cotaiticketing.com and by phone at (853) 2882 8818 Macau, (852) 6333 6660 Hong Kong, or in person at Sands Macao Lobby and CotaiArena™ Box Office.

The FICCI IIFA Global Business Forum 2009 will be held on the second day of the Videocon IIFA Weekend (12th June 2009). The Forum is an endeavor to bridge boundaries between India and the Videocon IIFA Weekend Host country and will be used to discuss further trade options between India and China. It is a dynamic global platform providing the industry with an opportunity to deliberate on a diverse range of business, bilateral economic and political issues. Her Excellency Mrs. Nirupama Rao, Indian Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, Mr K K Modi, Past President, FICCI and Mr M Damodaran, Former Chairman, Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) among others will be among the speakers and chairpersons at this year’s Business Forum.


After being announced in India last week, the commencement of public voting for the IDEA IIFA Awards 2009 was highlighted in Macao by IIFA Brand Ambassador Mr. Amitabh Bachchan. The announcement of the Nominations was done last week as a result of the industry voting for the IDEA IIFA Awards held earlier in March. Results of the industry voting were audited by PriceWaterhouse Coopers, the auditing firm for the IIFAs and Oscars. It was also announced that the voting for the IDEA IIFA Awards would be open to audiences of Indian Cinema across the world. The voting will be open on www.iifabuzz.com in May and would continue till the end of May 2009. The results of the online voting would determine the winners, which would be announced on stage at the IDEA IIFA Awards presentation ceremony in Macao.

Speaking at the press conference held in Macau yesterday, Mr. Amitabh Bachchan, IIFA Brand Ambassador said, “On behalf of IIFA, I would like to thank everyone in Macao and China for welcoming the landmark 10th IIFA to this beautiful destination. This is the first time I have come to Macao and find it enchanting. 2009 celebrates a decade of IIFA magic that has enchanted the world with its enthralling experiences. We are very excited to bring the IIFA celebrations to The Venetian® Macao-Resort-Hotel.”