The organisers of the 23rd Indian Film Academy and Awards (IIFA), to be held at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi from February 9 to 11, are gearing up for a star-studded show with Bollywood biggies like Salman Khan promising to make the event a memorable one.

“I am glad to be going back to Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Last edition, I hosted the awards with Ritesh Deshmukh and Maniesh Paul and made everyone present not just laugh, but cry too as I opened my heart to them. This time, I promise to make them stand up and dance with me as we celebrate Indian cinema globally,” said Salman, who has been a part of the IIFA for over two decades now.

The IIFA stage will also be lit up with performances by Varun Dhawan. The Bhediya star, who won trophies in 2015 and 2017 for performance in a comic role, is delighted to perform for the third time.

“IIFA for me is an unmissable experience and I can’t wait to be back in my favorite city. It’s a stage that allows me to connect with fans from all over the world and I am going to ask them to watch out for the bhediya. He is not going to let them get away,” the actor quipped.

Salman and Varun were speaking at a media interaction in Mumbai, also attended by Farhan Akhtar, Maniesh Paul, Karan Johar and Farah Khan.

Farhan will co-host the IIFA Awards with Abhishek Bachchan and Maniesh Paul in 2023. “I have been fortunate to be felicitated by IIFA in a number of categories, from best debut to best actor, best-supporting actor, best director, best story, best screenplay and best film. It gives you the biggest audience and I am looking forward to engaging with and entertaining them in a new role,” he said.

Co-host Maniesh Paul was equally gung-ho. “Last year, I hosted the IIFA Awards with Bhai (Salman Khan) and Riteish (Deshmukh). It was a blast! This year, it’s going to be as enjoyable, with Farhan and Abhishek. All glitz and glamour, laughter and hungama, talent and trophies aur hamara karnama, a night to remember,” he said.

The forthcoming edition of musical night IIFA Rocks will be hosted by Karan Johar and Farah Khan. It will feature live acts by several big names like singer-composer Amit Trivedi, rapper-singer Badshah, singer Sunidhi Chauhan and electronic music producer Nucleya.

“I have globe trotted with IIFA for several years and I’m super happy to rock the IIFA stage with Farah next year in February. IIFA Rocks is a surefire blockbuster every time,” said Karan.

Farah, who hosted IIFA Rocks this year with Aparshakti Khurrana, said she can’t wait to be back in Yas Island. “It’s one of my favorite places. IIFA is one of my favorite award shows and Karan is one of my favorite people. If you enjoy our Insta reels, make sure you catch us live, double dhamaka hoga as the world dances to our tunes,” she assured.

Singer Sunidhi Chauhan, the youngest IIFA nominee, reminded us that IIFA has grown from one starry night to a three-day extravaganza. “It is getting bigger every year, and still the heart wants more. And with IIFA Rocks, we will give you more,” she said.

For rapper Badshah, IIFA Rocks underlines Bollywood’s “supremacy” in the world of entertainment. “The phenomenal response to this live music concert every year across the globe underlines the popularity of Indian cinema and its music. And I can’t wait to rule this stage, bring it on,” he said.

Amit Trivedi endorsed the opinions of his fellow participants, saying, “Let me remind you that this time IIFA Rocks is bringing Valentine’s Day to you early. If that isn’t reason enough for a deluge of love, what is? IIFA is not just another stage, it’s a night to be lived and a memory to live with,” he said.

Calling IIFA the Oscars of Bollywood, Nucleya pointed out that IIFA Rocks will be like the pre-Oscar event, not to be skipped. “It has taken Hindi cinema, its music, dance and fashion, across the globe. Twenty-two years and going strong. It’s been a journey of only highs,” he said.

Bollywood A-listers like Ranveer Singh, Kriti Sanon, Nora Fatehi, Jacqueline Fernandez and Rakul Preet Singh will also perform at the IIFA 2023.

The organisers of the 23rd Indian Film Academy and Awards (IIFA), to be held at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi from February 9 to 11, are gearing up for a star-studded show with Bollywood biggies like Salman Khan promising to make the event a memorable one.

“I am glad to be going back to Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Last edition, I hosted the awards with Ritesh Deshmukh and Maniesh Paul and made everyone present not just laugh, but cry too as I opened my heart to them. This time, I promise to make them stand up and dance with me as we celebrate Indian cinema globally,” said Salman, who has been a part of the IIFA for over two decades now.

The IIFA stage will also be lit up with performances by Varun Dhawan. The Bhediya star, who won trophies in 2015 and 2017 for performance in a comic role, is delighted to perform for the third time.

“IIFA for me is an unmissable experience and I can’t wait to be back in my favorite city. It’s a stage that allows me to connect with fans from all over the world and I am going to ask them to watch out for the bhediya. He is not going to let them get away,” the actor quipped.

Salman and Varun were speaking at a media interaction in Mumbai, also attended by Farhan Akhtar, Maniesh Paul, Karan Johar and Farah Khan.

Farhan will co-host the IIFA Awards with Abhishek Bachchan and Maniesh Paul in 2023. “I have been fortunate to be felicitated by IIFA in a number of categories, from best debut to best actor, best-supporting actor, best director, best story, best screenplay and best film. It gives you the biggest audience and I am looking forward to engaging with and entertaining them in a new role,” he said.

Co-host Maniesh Paul was equally gung-ho. “Last year, I hosted the IIFA Awards with Bhai (Salman Khan) and Riteish (Deshmukh). It was a blast! This year, it’s going to be as enjoyable, with Farhan and Abhishek. All glitz and glamour, laughter and hungama, talent and trophies aur hamara karnama, a night to remember,” he said.

The forthcoming edition of musical night IIFA Rocks will be hosted by Karan Johar and Farah Khan. It will feature live acts by several big names like singer-composer Amit Trivedi, rapper-singer Badshah, singer Sunidhi Chauhan and electronic music producer Nucleya.

“I have globe trotted with IIFA for several years and I’m super happy to rock the IIFA stage with Farah next year in February. IIFA Rocks is a surefire blockbuster every time,” said Karan.

Farah, who hosted IIFA Rocks this year with Aparshakti Khurrana, said she can’t wait to be back in Yas Island. “It’s one of my favorite places. IIFA is one of my favorite award shows and Karan is one of my favorite people. If you enjoy our Insta reels, make sure you catch us live, double dhamaka hoga as the world dances to our tunes,” she assured.

Singer Sunidhi Chauhan, the youngest IIFA nominee, reminded us that IIFA has grown from one starry night to a three-day extravaganza. “It is getting bigger every year, and still the heart wants more. And with IIFA Rocks, we will give you more,” she said.

For rapper Badshah, IIFA Rocks underlines Bollywood’s “supremacy” in the world of entertainment. “The phenomenal response to this live music concert every year across the globe underlines the popularity of Indian cinema and its music. And I can’t wait to rule this stage, bring it on,” he said.

Amit Trivedi endorsed the opinions of his fellow participants, saying, “Let me remind you that this time IIFA Rocks is bringing Valentine’s Day to you early. If that isn’t reason enough for a deluge of love, what is? IIFA is not just another stage, it’s a night to be lived and a memory to live with,” he said.

Calling IIFA the Oscars of Bollywood, Nucleya pointed out that IIFA Rocks will be like the pre-Oscar event, not to be skipped. “It has taken Hindi cinema, its music, dance and fashion, across the globe. Twenty-two years and going strong. It’s been a journey of only highs,” he said.

Bollywood A-listers like Ranveer Singh, Kriti Sanon, Nora Fatehi, Jacqueline Fernandez and Rakul Preet Singh will also perform at the IIFA 2023.