Bollywood stars help Premier Christy Clark announce The Times of India Film Awards 0
Shiamak Davar dance troupe performs a Bollywood style dance routine during a press event in Vancouver, British Columbia, Tuesday January 22, 2013. (CARMINE MARINELLI/24 HOURS)
Two of Bollywood’s biggest stars flew 22 hours to help Premier Christy Clark announce The Times of India Film Awards are coming to Vancouver this April.
Actress Chitrangada Singh and director Karan Johar were part of a glitzy announcement Tuesday that included dancers and taped segments at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
The province is kicking in $9.5 million for the April 4-6 gala, plus another $1.5 million for events such as a B.C.-India business forum to be promoted by the Times Group.
The province had bid on the more prestigious International Indian Film Academy awards, but it was rejected.
The TOIFA event is less well known, but Clark defended the expenditure to the media by touting the exposure B.C. will get from the Times of India, which has an estimated reach of 90 million through various platforms. She also said the agreement to secure the awards included a guarantee that one Bollywood production would shoot in Vancouver using local suppliers.
Clark claimed the activities would bring as much as $18 million of direct spending into the local economy and strengthen business ties.
“We want it to be more than just about the film awards,” she said. “We want it to be about trade.”
A.P. Parigi, the Times of India director, told the crowd there were two avenues to promote a B.C.-India association — cricket and Bollywood.
Johar spoke lovingly that his father once told him the two best places to hear Punjabi are in the Punjab and in Canada. He added the “clout” of the Times of India and Bollywood shouldn’t be underestimated.
“(The Times) will make the maximum noise that there is for a beautiful country like Canada,” he added. “The true fraternity will come with (the Bollywood community’s) large hearts open for all of you.”
Planned events include an April 4 concert at the Pacific Coliseum, screenings of Bollywood films at local theatres on April 5, and the red carpet and awards event at BC Place the following day. Performers will include Shah Rukh Khan and Ranbir Kapoor, among others. Visit toifa.com for more details.
Poll
What do you think of Bollywood movies?
Reader's comments »
Vancouver