IIFA Awards: off to Singapore

Singapore will host the International Indian Film Academy Awards this year.

Amitabh Bachchan, brand ambassador of IIFA, said, "Singapore is one of the cleanest places in the world. I have always liked it because the people of Singapore always welcome you with a smile. Last year, we made IIFA Awards a great event at South Africa. Let us hope we make it a big success this year too."

Bachchan, who worked on Suhaag, said the IIFA Awards will be held in the lion city from May 20 to May 22nd. The weekend will comprise the IIFA World Premiere, IIFA Foundation Event, IIFA Forum and the Samsung IIFA Awards.

Promoters Wizcraft and the IIFA Academy will fly 350 members of the film industry, including film stars, directors, music directors and other celebrities to Singapore. "Though we are based in Mumbai, we film stars hardly get time to meet each other in our own city. So I am happy to be part of IIFA because it gives all of us an opportunity to meet outside the country," said Bachchan.

Don't Miss! 2003 awards: Hrithik, Preity win!

He also quipped, "I assure you that there will be appropriate sitting arrangements for all of you."

Bachchan's remarks came after the infamous stand-off between Samajwadi party leader Amar Singh and Karim Morani over Bachchan's seating arrangement at the recent Zee Cine Awards in Dubai. Apparently, Singh also got into an argument with Shah Rukh Khan after he intervened on behalf of the Moranis. Later, Subhash Chandra, CEO of Zee, reportedly intervened and cooled tempers.

Asked if he felt so many awards were justified -- what with Filmfare, Screen, Zee and Stardust -- Bachchan said, "India is a democracy. People have the liberty to hold award ceremonies. The film industry patronises these awards. So it is wrong to to say that there shouldn't be so many awards."

Click here for More Features