Real reason why Bollywood biggies refuse to attend IIFA 2017

Indian Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) chief Pahlaj Nihalani has disclosed a shocking truth about one of the biggest event of Indian film industry.

Bollywood biggies like Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachcan (along with his family), Ranbir Kapoor, Akshay Kumar, Sonam Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor, Deepika Padukone and many other, didn’t attend this year’s IIFA awards held in New York City. Nihalani in his latest interview shed some light over the hypocrisy by IIFA awards management.

He said, “Look at the hypocrisy. They haven’t even nominated Aamir Khan for ‘Dangal’ and Akshay Kumar for ‘Airlift’ and ‘Rustom’ just because they wouldn’t attend their weekend holiday plans masquerading as an awards function. I think the day Mr Bachchan opted out, IIFA lost its dignity and relevance. In 18 years, how much global impact has Indian cinema made and what hand did IIFA have in this?,” Hindustan Times reported.

Nihalani says many actors who were taken to New York did not even attend the award events. “They were too tired after partying all night. What I want to know is, who is paying for this extravagance? It is our foreign exchange being squandered as every top star is given tickets for his spouse, children, parents, ayahs, bodyguards, friends, friends of friends... I have heard stars are even given money to shop. Who is paying for all this? IIFA is selling Indian cinema to various countries and probably getting many financial benefits. But is the Indian government benefiting from this global event?,” he asked.

The IIFA Awards, better known as the IIFA extravaganza is a three-day event that takes place every year. And the lavish three-day affair has left Nihalani fuming.