IIFA Awards took Indian cinema forward across the world: Shah Rukh Khan

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has credited International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards for taking Indian cinema to the global stage.

“It’s a marvellous achievement taking Indian cinema forward… It’s been good times with IIFA, and I pray for them (organisers) that they take Indian cinema global, put it on the platform, which makes us relevant all over the world,” Khan told reporters here at the IIFA press conference on Friday evening.

The Bollywood star, who has been associated with the IIFA awards for over two decades, said he has some “fond and wild” memories of attending the award show over the years.

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“It’s been a great journey, it’s been too much fun. They (organisers – Andre Timmims, Viraf Sarkari and Sabbas Joseph) always have been hard working, I remember them arranging chairs at different award functions for us, been kind to us, and showing warmth. From the beginning of the show to the end, they’ve been always looking after us,” he said, adding he has had a great time performing and hosting the IIFA Awards in the past.

Khan said he is excited to be part of the 25th edition of the IIFA Awards, which is to be held on March 8 and 9 in Jaipur.

“I’ve always said to them, ‘We should have IIFA in our country’, and no better place than Jaipur to be hosting this. We will have our show, come and enjoy and celebrate Indian film industry with us over there,” he said.

“I was in the middle of going to start shoot of a film and when they told me that it’s going to be 25 years of IIFA and that I need to be there, so I rushed here. I’m looking forward to be in Jaipur and enjoying there,” Khan added.

Actor Kartik Aaryan, who is set to host the upcoming award show, said he is going to give his best.

“I’m happy to be part of 25th anniversary of IIFA. I’m going to host and I hope I’m going to be the second best host because no one can beat him (Shah Rukh). Whenever Shah Rukh sir has hosted or performed, he has been at it. It’s always like a stadium like effect,” the “Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3” actor said.

On a lighter note, Khan taught Aaryan how to host people in Jaipur.

“Padharo mare desh, Rajasthan,” Khan said as Aryan repeated after him.

The press conference was also attended by Deputy Rajasthan Chief Minister Diya Kumari, who said they are honoured to host the IIFA Awards in Jaipur.

“Inspired by our Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of boosting tourism through innovation, Rajasthan proudly embraces this opportunity to showcase its splendour.

“Over three extraordinary days, the IIFA Awards and its related events will not only honour cinematic excellence but also catalyse investment and growth in Rajasthan’s vibrant tourism sector,” Kumari said.