Well what can we say - we are back, feeling all exhausted, exhilharated and elated. The IIFAs were a show stopping spectacular, and as always we feel privileged to be there, flying the BBC Asian Network flag. Amongst all the glitz, glam and stars, it was great to catch up in person with the Love Bollywood fans from the UK, Australia, New Zeeland, Hong Kong and India - but a special shout out to the Birmingham Boys - you guys rocked!
Last night saw the finale of the IIFA Awards 2009, we broadcast LIVE from The Green Carpet - (you can listen again on the BBC iPlayer - and don't forget The Love Bollywood One Hour Special). The Green Carpet was like being on the Generation Game's conveyor belt - star after star after star.
The IIFA's were officially launched at this amazing hotel. We were invited to an audience with the legend that is Mr Amitabh Bachchan. He told us the whole family are here in Macau and will be attending lots of events this weekend. Think of all the outfits they must have brought along! He was amazed at the growth and respect that Indians abroad are giving the Indian film industry.
As we settled into our rooms, the filmiworld dropped into the hotel like a multi-
star cast movie, the likes of Govinda, Peter Andre, Lara Dutta, Abhishek, Ashwariya Rai, Anil and Sonam Kapoor, Zayed Khan, Ramesh Sippy, Boman Irani, Javed Akhtar & wife Shabana Azmi walked the path of the red carpet.
After a whirlwind journey of over 20 hours which involved a bumpy flight, sniffer dogs, lost luggage, a ferry crossing and porters taking our huge luggage trolley via escalator, we've arrived in the city of dreams - Macau, the venue for this years IIFA's.
We can see the light at the end of the tunnel as the Bolly strike has now come to an end. The chain of releases is all beginning to line up both on the Music front and the Big Screen.
Has summer finally arrived.... with the beautiful weather upon us all we need now is the Bolly strike to come to an end and then we can bring our lives back to the Big Screen. Most of the Asian Network is preparing for the Nottingham Mela which happens this Sunday while we're preparing to fly out to Macau for the IIFA's which take place next weekend.
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