Bollywood is all set to attend the 18th edition of the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards in New York. The event kick-started on July 13 and will end on July 16 after a wrap-up party. The main award show is scheduled for July 15.  Celebrities like Salman Khan, Karan Johar, Saif Ali Khan, Shahid Kapoor, Varun Dhawan,   Alia Bhatt, Shilpa Shetty, Bipasha Basu reached the Big Apple a couple of days ago.

Varun Dhawan, Shilpa Shetty, Shahid Kapoor, Huma Qureshi, Dia Mirza, Disha Patani, Neha Dhupia, Taapsee Pannu and Gulshan Grover took the stage which was a buzzing blend of music, dance and fashion.

The IIFA Stomp — a free-for-public Bollywood event here right opposite the iconic red stairs of Times Square — brought to a halt a number of passersby who were curious to get a taste of Hindi cinema’s glitz and glamour.

And it was not just Indians. Foreigners too were happy to stop by and capture the moment, which was a kick-off party for the three-day 18th International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Weekend and Awards here on Thursday night.

Dia and Taapsee showcased creations from Myntra, while Shilpa, Neha and Disha Patani were showstoppers for designer duo Falguni and Shane Peacock, whose creations have been flaunted by international icons in the past.

Besides the IIFA Stomp, the Sheraton hotel at Times Square is buzzing with activity as enthusiastic fans of Bollywood and its gliteratti have parked themselves either outside in the parking bay or at a demarcated space in the lobby — in the hope of getting photographs of and with the stars.

A hotel official told IANS that the fandom is unprecedented, but for security purposes they are only letting people with either official badges for events in the hotel or those with room keys go beyond a certain point.

In the parking bay, the fans almost seemed to have turned into paparazzi as they were ready to click away with their phone cameras.

source:  news18.com