PENDOWN

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IIFA 2017 In NEW YORK : The Delhi Press Conference

IIFA NEW YORK, IIFA 2017, DELHI PRESS CONFERENCE

IIFA 2017, Big Apple,  A.R. Rehman, Woosh washing,  Shuruaat Gala Dinner and more

 
 

So here it is, my blog ‘PENDOWN’ has secured media accreditation for IIFA (International Indian Film Academy) Awards 2017 happening in New York this month. Initially, I was super excited about it and had my eyes on Times Square but now it hurts to say that I will not be able to avail this opportunity. All my plans have gone in vain.  I am not going for it because US visa takes time and somehow I took a lot of time in working out things for me. More so, I wanted to plan an elaborate itinerary for my first USA trip. This was getting too rushed up and thus I dropped the plan. Trust me, it has been very hard to console myself as my best friend from engineering college, lives in New Jersey and I had an open invitation to live at her place and explore everything around. When she told me that the venue for IIFA rocks and IIFA Award, MetLife Stadium is hardly 30 minutes away from her home, I was all the more excited but I will be missing all the fun. Nothing can make up for the loss, but the best that I could do for my love of Bollywood was to attend the IIFA Press Conference that took place in New Delhi yesterday and here are some updates about IIFA and its sponsors.

 
 

For the uninitiated, I must mention that IIFA gas been conceptualised and produced by Wizcraft International Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. and is supported by the key members of the Indian film fraternity.

 
 
VENUE – METLIFE STADIUM IN NEW YORK

 
 

MetLife Stadium, home to the New York Jets and New York Football Giants, is the number one stadium in the world. This 82,500 seat stadium, one of the largest in the National Football League, sets the standard for venue excellence with state-of-the-art technology, comfort and amenities. The only active venue to serve as the home stadium for two NFL teams, MetLife Stadium hosts 20 NFL games per season, more than any other Stadium.

MetLife Stadium hosts the World’s Biggest Events, on the World’s Biggest Stage. Major events hosted at the stadium include Super Bowl XLVIII, WrestleMania 29, Copa America Centenario, CONCACAF Gold Cup Quarterfinals, Paul McCartney, U2, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Bon Jovi, Kenny Chesney and Taylor Swift

MetLife Stadium tops the industry charts annually since opening. The Stadium has ranked as the No. 1 Highest Grossing Stadium in the world for the last 5 years (2012 – 2016) by Billboard magazine. In 2011 MetLife Stadium was ranked No. 1 for safety by Security magazine’s “Security 500” in the Arenas/Stadiums/Leagues/Entertainment division.

 
 

MetLife Stadium, NEW YORK

 
 

BOLLYWOOD GIVES ME TRAVEL INSPIRATION

 

So what would have been my story angle if I had visited New York? Of course, IIFA would have been the main attraction but I would have loved to do a story around how Indian cinema gives me travel inspiration every now and then. And with such award functions, it gives a chance to dream bigger. Everyone knows that travel, food, blogs, books and social media keep me occupied for most of my time but when it comes to my regular dose of entertainment, I love to rely on Bollywood and Hindi Cinema. In fact, I draw a lot of travel inspiration from films. These days, travelling is in vogue and everyone in the film industry, right from the actors to the directors and producers are always on a lookout for new locations for their movies. Overall, Bollywood definitely has a great role to play when it comes to promoting both domestic and international tourism. And I must say they have been doing it proactively. 

 
 

Even newcomers in the industry look forward to such events very very enthusiastically!!!

 

Kriti Sanon says, IIFA is a great platform where everyone from the industry travels globally and celebrates the glory of Indian Cinema. The IIFA Awards has always been held in the most beautiful destinations and this time it’s being held in New York. I am enthusiastically looking forward to my very first performance at the IIFA Festival and my first visit to the City.”

 
 

Sushant Singh Rajput, Kriti Sanon & A.R. Rahman at IIFA Delhi Press Conference. @PVR Director's Cut - Ambience, Delhi
IIFA NEW YORK -THE DELHI PRESS CONFERENCE

 
 

72 HOURS EXTRAVAGANZA

 

The 72 hours of the extravaganza that will take place in New York (13th – 15th July 2017 ) was given a kickstart in the capital by the legendary musical genius A.R. Rahman. He was joined by Bollywood youth icons Kriti Sanon & Sushant Singh Rajput at the official IIFA press conference held at PVR Director’s Cut, Ambience Mall in New Delhi. According to Andre Timmins, Director- Wizcraft International, the producers and creator of the IIFA movement, this 18th Edition of IIFA Weekend And Awards is going to be one of the biggest ever IIFA Festival to date. I really like that such events promote and support a certain cause every year. This time it is about ‘Barabari ghar se shuru‘ (Equality begins at home)

 
 

Woosh Detergent Powder is the Cause Partner of IIFA 2017. They are promoting equality for women at home, appealing to reduce the burden from the soft hands of the ladies by equally valuing the hopes, aspirations and contributions of women in strengthening gender equality as a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world.

 
 

The events that are lined up for IIFA are as below. 

  • IIFA Weekend and Awards Myntra presents IIFA Stomp
  • “Shuruaat” Gala Dinner in association with tGELF, The FICCI- IIFA Global Business Forum 2017.
  • Spectacular IIFA Rocks 
  • The NEXA IIFA Awards Powered by VIVO.

 
 

Times Sqaure, VIVO, Sushant Singh Rajput, Kriti Sanon & A.R. Rahman, NEXA,

 
 

This is what some of the sponsors had to say!

Mr. R. S Kalsi, Executive Director, Marketing & Sales, Maruti Suzuki said NEXA and IIFA are symbolic of breaking the status-quo and creating experiences which are new and exciting.

We believe that the popularity of India International Film Awards (IIFA) is a splendid opportunity for Vivo to strengthen connect with the right audience and create a strong brand recall…. said Vivek Zhang, CMO, Vivo India

Air India’s Commercial Director, Mr. Pankaj Srivastava said that both Air India and IIFA are dream merchants and true ambassadors of Indian goodwill abroad.”

 
 

3 Interesting attractions of IIFA this year….

The event will see Saif Ali Khan and Karan Johar hosting the star-studded night.

A star-studded evening, Shuruaat Gala Dinner at IIFA is first of its kinds. The aim of the event is to bring together the biggest celebrities from Bollywood, and leaders from business, philanthropy, media, education and the Arts. 

This is also the first year that COLORS CHANNEL will be telecasting the event LIVE! 

 
 
Though the press conference commenced late, I am glad I stayed back to learn all that is happening this year. And I am not going to miss the live event on COLORS  from New York at 9 AM and repeat at 6 PM on 16th July 2017, Sunday.

 
 

For more information, visit:

www.metlifestadium.com

www.wizcraftworld.com

Keep Watching Movies…Keep Travelling!!!

 
 

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