Bollywood Stars Gear Up for Star-Studded IIFA Awards 2027 in Abu Dhabi

The 27th edition of the International Indian Film Academy Awards will take place at Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, in January 2027. The two-day event begins with the IIFA Digital Awards on January 22, followed by the main ceremony on January 23 at the Etihad Arena.

New Hosts

Actor Pankaj Tripathi will make his first-ever appearance as an awards show host, joining Ali Fazal to anchor the IIFA Digital Awards. Varun Dhawan also steps into a hosting role for the first time on the main stage, sharing anchor duties alongside Karan Johar and Maniesh Paul.

Star Performances

Salman Khan, Shahid Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan, and Janhvi Kapoor will perform during the celebrations. Salman stated that he shares a deep connection with Abu Dhabi and has been involved with the event since its early years. Shahid Kapoor noted that some of his most memorable career moments have occurred on the IIFA stage.

Context

The International Indian Film Academy Awards travel to different global cities each year to promote Bollywood cinema to international audiences and the Indian diaspora. Yas Island in Abu Dhabi has increasingly become a preferred venue for major entertainment events and large-scale Bollywood gatherings due to its modern arena facilities.