Abu Dhabi, Oct 31: Bollywood and the Abu Dhabi Film Festival (ADFF) have nothing in common. One is all about Indian entertainment for the masses, the other promotes low budget, independent art films that no commercial cinema cares to release.
In fact, at ADFF 2014, there was only one film from India, and that was as far from Bollywood style as Hollywood is! Yet, Bollywood did make it to the ADFF this year, but not with movies.
On Wednesday night, the red carpet and the auditorium of Emirates Palace belonged to the ‘Magic of Bollywood’, a show of singing and dancing starring Priyanka Chopra.
Considered by some as one of the best Indian actresses and by others as one of the best looking ones, Chopra, who also won Miss World 2000, was definitely a vision of ADFF’s red carpet.
Arriving two hours later than announced, Chopra said she was nervous about the show, but ready to show Abu Dhabi how Indians liked to party.
“I’m doing this really amazing act in the show, which is a very difficult balancing dance move,” she told Khaleej Times. “Normally, for this show, 20 days of rehearsals were required, but I busted my knee in the previous movie, so I wanted to take it easy now.” Despite injuries and hard work, Chopra is fully dedicated to Bollywood.
“Everything about Bollywood gets me! It’s pure energy, celebration and excitement. It’s a lot more than just movies, it’s a lifestyle,” she said.
The one-and-a-half hour show, created by Indian choreographer Ganesh Hegde, was closed to the public, the organiser, UAE’s National Medical Centre, run by Indian businessman B. R. Shetty, giving away about 1,000 invitations.
Since the show was created for Abu Dhabi, Hegde decided to add an Arab element to it, and that was a belly dance act.
Many of those attending the Magic of Bollywood were Arab actors and actresses present at the ADFF. Among them, Bahraini actress Zahra Arafat had her designer create a special Indian outfit for the evening.
“I grew up watching Bollywood movies and I love them,” she said.
“I don’t really remember any Bollywood movie names, but I really do enjoy them,” she added.
The ADFF will continue at Emirates Palace and Vox Cinemas Marina Mall until tomorrow.
Comments
Add new comment