History was made in South African entertainment with the first South African India Film and Television Awards (SAIFTA) which took place Durban's ICC.
More than just a star-studded awards ceremony, SAIFTA is intended to draw India and South Africa closer together in entertainment, business, skills and cultural exchanges.
The annual event, which Durban will host for two more years, saw the who's who of Bollywood and South African film and TV walk the red carpet.
The event which took place last friday was a collaborated effort of Celebrity Locker, Mumbai-based events company and tourism KwaZulu-Natal.
There were over 150 film and television personalities from India, 30 popular South African film and television personalities and 7,000 live audiences at Durban. Fashion Designer Alpa Reena’s couture was also featured as part of a special fashion show.
Indian Director/Producer Karan Johar & Indian actor Dia Mirza/SAIFTA Twitter
The event was attended by the who’s who of Bollywood, Film, and Television fraternity including veteran actress Waheeda Rehman, Shilpa and Apoorva Agnihotri, Mukesh Bhatt, Ranvir Singh, Ravi Dubey, Sargun Mehta, Mona Singh, Manish Paul, and Elli Avram graced the event. Other Bollywood stars who jetted in for the event included, Dia Mirza, Shilpa Shirodkar, Richa Chadda, Raveena Tandon and Farah Khan, who is on the SAIFTA judging panel. Mirza described her first impressions of South Africa, saying; “God cut a slice of heaven and gifted it to South Africa.”
The inaugural event was hosted by Karan Johar and Dia Mirza. The International Convention Centre was beaming with celebrities including the 'ghagra girl', Madhuri Dixit and fresh from her success from 'Planes' and her latest music video, 'Exotic', Priyanka Chopra who were at the centre of the show. 'Student of the Year' star Siddhartha Malhotra set the stage on fire.
India’s first female rapper, Hard Kaur, who shocked the audience with her non-conventional performance.
A vibrant dance sequence including the classically beautiful Sri Lankan beauty, Jacqueline Fernandez and energetic television personality, Anusha Dandekar was presented. The dancing was a fusion of Bollywood and hip hop styles. Fernandez entered on an illuminated rickshaw to join the cast of dancers comprising a fusion of multi-racial local and Bollywood dancers in the stunning show choreographed by Geeta Kapur.
Ranveer Singh performed a special performance that detailed the 100 years of Indian Cinema. Popular comedian Aaron McIlroy also brought out laughs from the audiences in his funny “Bollywood wannabe act”!
Three TV couples Amir Ali and Sanjeedha Shaikh, Rithvick Dhanjani, and Asha Negi, as well as, Ravi Dubey and Sargan Mehta all danced to romantic numbers and added another layer of excitement to the event.
Priyanka Chopra (Best Actress) & Siddharth Malhotra (Best Male Debut) with their awards/Saifta Twitter
Barfi and Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani Star Ranbir Kapoor and Gangs of Wassepur star Nawazuddin Siddiqui bagged the awards for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actors.
Kapoor’s film Barfi also won the Film of the Year category. Siddharth Malhotra and Huma Querishi won the awards for their scintillating debutante performances in Student of the Year and Gangs of Wassepur.
Abhishek Kapoor won the award for his unforgettable film Kai Po Che while Ashiqui 2’s ‘Tum Hi Ho’ won in the 'Popular Song of the Year' category. Heartthrob John Abraham won the award as the 'Icon of the Year!'
Nelson Mandela was also given a special award for his known as the Special 'Madiba Award' for which his granddaughter, Ndileka Mandela was present to receive.
Models walking the ramp in David Tiale and Durban Couturier Haroun Hansrot's collection/BCCL
The highlight of the event was by far the fashion collection by designers David Tiale and Durban Couturier Haroun Hansrot who showcased regal collection which was a reflection of his signature style that was seen both on the the red carpet and event.
Sources: SAIFTA Facebook/Twitter. indiatimes.com, IBN.com, businessofcinema.com
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