Macau, June 12: With some of the biggest Indian stars adding glitter to the 10th Idea IIFA extravaganza, the tiny resort region of China gaped in total awe as Bollywood`s colourful pageantry rolled in.
The exotic Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel, hosting one of the biggest celebrations of Indian cinema, is packed with tourists from around the globe, who have come catch a glimpse of their favourite stars.
"They have increased the room fares because of IIFA but now that I have come here I am not going to lose the chance to get so close to the stars," said Renu hailing from Chandigarh, who along with her two children and husband stood for three hours at the fan enclosure to witness the celebrities at the green carpet event.
It is not just Indian fans who are thronging the corridors of the hotel but media from across the world is here to cover the event with journalists from UK, US, South Africa, China, Australia running from one event to another at the awards gala.
Many young Indian fans could be seen doing a recce of the hotel in a desperate hope to get an autograph of their favourite actors.
"Have you seen Amitabh Bachchan," asked Jaymeet Singh, a business man from Delhi who flew in with his family for the IIFA weekend.
He was ecstatic speaking about his encounters with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Riteish Deshmukh, Boman Irani, Lara Dutta and Govinda.
Govinda, who is here to promote his comedy caper `Do Knot Disturb` happily posed for photographs and obliged his young fans with autographs before rushing back to get ready for the green carpet event.
The local media being not familiar with the famous faces were relentlessly asking their Indian counterparts for star spotting.
"Is she famous, should I take a photograph of hers," asked a journalist as Sushmita Sen walked past before seeking further help to get her name correct.
While another was curious to know about Lagaan`s director Ashutosh Gowariker, a local journalist, referring to Aamir Khan said, "I have heard that one Khan never attends any awards as he considers it a waste of time. I don`t remember his first name though."
The Bachchan clan and Slumdog Millionaire`s young stars along with Anil Kapoor were a great hit with the local public, which instantly recognised them.
"Jamaal, Jaamal here," a young fan shouted to get teenage actor Tanay Chedda`s attention at an event.
But it was six-year-old Vinay from Delhi who stood atop the barricade to attract the stars who walked away with the maximum number of autographs as celebrities walked the green carpet to attend the world renowned Zaia Cirque Du Soleil show at the hotel.
Bureau Report
First Published: Friday, June 12, 2009, 13:53
