IIFA Awards 2003 to be held in Johannesburg, South Africa

Company press release, April 30, 2003

Mumbai

The International Indian Film Academy (IIFA), which will mark its return to the sun kissed shores of South Africa with the IIFA Awards 2003, today announced the details of the fourth annual presentation ceremony at a star-studded press conference held at Il Grande, Monte Casino, Johannesburg, South Africa in the presence of national and international media. The IIFA Weekend will commence on May 15th and will be hosted at various venues within the Monte Casino and Johannesburg. This exciting weekend will culminate with the IIFA Awards 2003, which will be held on May 17th, 2003 at The Dome@Northgate, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Launched three years ago at the Millennium Dome, London, the presentation ceremony has grown into a three-day extravaganza - the IIFA 2003 Weekend - showcasing the best of Indian cinema and providing a platform for interaction with global media. The IIFA Awards 2003 is a salutation to the world's largest film industry and has attracted the stalwarts of both Indian and International cinema, including Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir khan, Mira Nair, Shekhar Kapur, Anjelina Jolie, Kylie Minogue, Jackie Chan, Bo Derek and Miranda Richardson.

The highlight of the three-day weekend will be the IIFA Awards 2003, which will witness the grandest tribute paid to Indian film talent in the history of Indian cinema. May 2003 will see the who's who of Indian cinema visit the shores of South Africa to be a part of the prestigious presentation including, Amitabh Bachchan, Anil Kapoor, Lara Dutta, Rani Mukherjee, Akshay Kumar, Mohanlal, A R Rahman, Chiranjeevi, Venkatesh, Shilpa Shetty and Salman Khan amongst others. The IIFA Weekend will witness a host of exciting events that will leave the people of South Africa enthralled once again.

The IIFA Weekend will see a host of thrilling events including the IIFA Forum - a panel of opinion leaders from Indian cinema will discuss the business of Indian cinema and Ideas for increasing revenue; IIFA World Premieres which will be hosted with NU METRO, leading Cinema exhibitors for South Africa, at their showcase theatres at the Monte Casino Complex and world premieres of 'Mumbai Se Aaya Mera Dost' starring Abhishek Bachchan and Lara Dutta and 'Armaan' starring Amitabh Bachchan, Anil Kapoor and Preity Zinta.

Previous movies premiered at the IIFA Awards include the classic Lagaan that went on to receive an Oscar nomination for Best Foreign film and Aankhen that is now being remade into a Hollywood blockbuster. Monte Casino and the Palazzo, official hosts for the IIFA Weekend have several supporting activities planned to entertain and enthuse the visiting guests. Johannesburg's famous 'Bombay Blues' will handle all the catering requirements and are putting together menus to delight the South African and Indian contingent.

The presentation ceremony will also include sizzling performances from leading stars of Indian cinema, the likes of which have never been seen before. The best talent from Indian cinema will be up there on the stage showing the world what makes Indian cinema the best in the whole world. Amongst the performers will be, Salman Khan, Shilpa Shetty, Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan. To lend that international flavour to the evening will be the famous Las Ketchup troupe and a host of mind blowing South African entertainers. The hosts to this spectacular evening would include, Anil Kapoor and other celebrated faces of Indian cinema. Single tickets for this grand evening are available from Computicket and official packages are available from Thompsons. The IIFA Awards 2003 will once again mark IIFA's association with the beautiful country of South Africa and its lovely people. Joining IIFA in making the Awards a stupendous success will be Southern Sun - the largest hospitality group in South Africa; South African Tourism - the national tourism agency; South African Airways - national airlines of South Africa and the City of Johannesburg.

Maintaining their association with the world's grandest venues, the fourth IIFA Awards 2003 will be held at the spectacular The Dome@Northgate, South Africa's most definitive multi-purpose indoor entertainment arena that can seat over 11,000 guests who will travel from all over the world, including stars from international and Indian cinema and the faces of India, including sportstars, government leaders and who's who from the Indian corporate world. The IIFA Awards 2003 will be broadcast live and exclusive across the globe via Sony Entertainment Television, India's preferred General Hindi Entertainment Channel at primetime on May 17, 2003.

Another highlight of the IIFA Weekend would be the specially assembled 'IIFA International Media Center', powered by Sahara Computers' which will boast of the best technical equipment available for on-the-spot reporting and prompt coverage of the day to day action of this incredible IIFA weekend.

The votes for the Awards for Technical Excellence and Popular Categories were cast by the best talent from Indian cinema, including actors, film directors, music directors, producers, scriptwriters and singers during the IIFA Voting Weekend held in Mumbai, India on March 28-29, 2003. Internationally reputed audit firm PricewaterhouseCoopers Private Limited, official auditors for the Oscars, will independently monitor all voting and audit and compile the final list of winners of the IIFA Awards 2003. The winners of the IIFA Awards 2003 for Technical Excellence have already been announced. The nominations for the Popular Category are open for public voting, using the globally accessible msn.com platform between April 12 and May 10, 2003 on www.msn.co.in/iifa and will be announced on-stage at the glittering presentation ceremony on May 17th, 2003 to a live television audience.

Moeketsi Mosola, Chief Operating Officer, South African Tourism, said at the occasion, There is no doubt that South Africa is now firmly placed on the World Map for its ability to deliver beyond expectations, particularly as an international events destination, and we can guarantee that the IIFA Awards will be no exception.

Southern Sun Hotels, Managing Director, Helder Pereira, added, South Africa is honored with the return of the IIFA Awards to our shores and Southern Sun is proud to be associated with the Indian Film Industry through the 2003 IIFA weekend that will be hosted by the InterContinental Palazzo Hotel and the Monte Casino Complex in Fourways, Johannesburg. As official hospitality partner to the event, we will ensure the rolling out of true African hospitality to the stars, the dignitaries and the guests of Indian Cinemas showcase event."

To further add his support to the IIFA Awards was Manoj Papa, South African Airways, saying, "South African Airways is proud to be associated with the International Indian Film Academy this year, a global celebration of Indian Cinema. A strong supporter of arts and culture around the world, SAA is honoured to "share" the stage with the IIFA in promoting a rapidly growing film industry."

Added, Wiz Sabbas Joseph, Director, Wizcraft, "Our focus has always been on creating a platform to showcase the best of Indian cinema to the world. With the IIFA Awards 2003 we will continue to provide the impetus for the crossover of Indian cinema to global audiences and delight the Indian diaspora with the grandest celebration of Indian cinema."

About Wizcraft International Entertainment Pvt. Ltd.

Wizcraft International Entertainment, India's leading event management company is dedicated to showing its expertise on the world stage. Having begun its operations in 1988, Wizcraft has conceptualized and produced events staged in Mauritius, London, New York, Dubai, Singapore, Malaysia, South Africa and Sri Lanka amongst others.

For further information, please contact:

Sandhya Sadananda

Genesis Public Relations

Tel: 91 - 22 - 2491 1 783 / 85

Email: ssadananda@genesispr.com