Dubai to host Bollywood awards event in March

The Times of India Film Awards (TOIFA), which was first held in 2013 to celebrate Hindi film talent, will host its second edition in Dubai in March, it was announced here in the presence of Bollywood actors Varun Dhawan and Jacqueline Fernandez. Superstar Shah Rukh Khan will perform at the event.

The first edition of the gala -- which leverages the power of Bollywood to position destinations and brands in minds of global Indians -- was held in Vancouver, British Columbia.

TOIFA 2016 Dubai, presented by Gulf Air and Splash, will be held on March 18 at the Dubai International Stadium, Dubai Sports City and shall see power-packed performances by Shah Rukh, Varun, Jacqueline, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Yo Yo Honey Singh and more.

Varun, who was here on Thursday for the announcement, said: "TOIFA was one of the first platforms where I was nominated for my work, in the best Debutant Actor Male Category for 'Student of the Year'. I am thrilled to be associated with this amazing platform and announce TOIFA 2016 in Dubai.

"I look forward to catching all Bollywood fans here, and promise you a fabulous TOIFA weekend."

Sri Lankan beauty Jacqueline, who has made her presence felt in Bollywood, said: "I'm excited to be a part of TOIFA's second edition and represent the Hindi film industry in Dubai. The atmosphere in Dubai is always electrifying and I look forward to adding to the magic on March 18."

The event will be promoted across India, Bahrain, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman and Britain, and fans are expected to travel from these countries into Dubai, creating tourism receipts over the weekend for the city. To this end, TOIFA has already partnered with Thomas Cook in India and Dadabhai Travels in Bahrain as its travel partners.

Sameer Soni, director - International Business, The Times of India Group, said: "TOIFA Dubai is going to be the biggest Bollywood event ever hosted in the Gulf region with performances and presence of some of the biggest Bollywood celebrities on one stage.

"TOIFA presents a strategic engagement platform that leverages the power and pull of Bollywood to create significant economic impact for destinations and brands through increased tourism, trade and stronger bilateral relation"."

Tickets for the event will be available for sale from Monday onwards on ticketmaster.ae.