Iconic celebs Kabir Bedi .Prosenjit Chatterjee , Warda Nadiadwala honored with unique 10th IIFTC Awards  2023 at classy, glittering event    by  Chaitanya  Padukone

A  dazzling decade of  IIFTC diligence and excellence in film-tourism promotion !!

On the opening classy glam-glitter gala night of Asia’s largest film tourism three-day conclave event, IIFTC honored acclaimed filmmaker Sajid Nadiadwala for his “outstanding contribution to World Tourism” through his Bollywood cinema. As he was out of India, Sajid’s charismatic wife Warda Khan Nadiadwala received the esteemed award on Sajid’s behalf.

IIFTC Event 2023 Award Winners Prosenjit, Kabir Bedi and Warda Nadiadwala

According to  ‘showman’ Harshad Bhagwat, Founder-Promoter of IIFTC  (India International Film Tourism Conclave ) Awards, “Eminent film-maker Sajid Nadiadwala has showcased many wonderful exotic foreign locations and given an impetus-boost  to film tourism, be it Houseful, Heyy Babyy, Anjaana Anjaani, Kick, Baaghi, Judwaa 2 or Tamaasha - his cinema has positively impacted the tourism of the locations they were shot at making him the obvious choice for the award.”

Receiving the award on behalf of her dynamic husband Warda said “Sajid passionately loves his craft, and he is really happy to receive an award for contributing to global tourism through cinema. IIFTC is a great initiative to bring all the foreign countries together on one platform.”

Global icon suave Kabir Bedi and Bengali movie superstar debonair Prosenjit Chatterjee ( popular OTT series ‘Jubilee’ fame)  also received prestigious IIFTC awards respectively for contributing to global tourism through cinema.

IIFTC 2023--Sabina Baghirova (Azerbaijan) presents IIFTC Trophy to Awardee

Commenting on the occasion, international veteran macho-actor Kabir Bedi ( of  European TV series ‘Sandokan’ fame) in his bass-baritone voice exclaimed “As an actor, I've had the privilege of playing versatile roles in multi-lingual Indian cinema and Hollywood projects that have allowed me to showcase the incredible diversity, culture, and beauty of many countries. Through the lens of the camera, we've transported audiences to the heart of rich heritages, scenic landscapes, and vibrant cities. I believe in the magic of storytelling to ignite the traveler’s spirit, and I hope that our films continue to be a source of inspiration for those seeking to explore the globe. This IIFTC Award is not just a recognition of my work, but a celebration of the enchanting synergy between cinema and tourism. Where the silver screen becomes a passport to unforgettable journeys.”

IIFTC 2023 unveiling of CinePort magazine on stae by celebs-winners

Handsome hero Prosenjit Chatterjee who looked dapper in Indian ethnic attire said “I'm humbled by the recognition of the role, cinema plays in promoting global tourism. Throughout my career, I've had the privilege of portraying characters that showcase the beauty, diversity, and cultural richness of many geographies. As actors, we have the power to transport audiences to places they've never been, to immerse them in the magic of our landscapes. I believe in the transformative power of storytelling to awaken the wanderlust in people's hearts,”enthused the unassuming Bengali superstar heart-throb actor, who shared with me that he and all his loyal fans are  eagerly awaiting for his next latest Bengali crime-thriller movie “Dawshom Awbotaar” which is releasing next week during auspicious Durga Puja festivities..

IIFTC Event Superstar Prosenjit Chatterjee with model-actress Anjali Akhoury

Interestingly, acclaimed prolific Bollywood director Imtiaz Ali who has been honoured in the past by IIFTC  for promoting foreign European locations in his landmark Hindi movies ( like ‘ Jab Harry Met Sejal’) also made a striking guest appearance at this event but left early.

The grand glam-glitter gala exclusive conclave opening evening held at the  opulent Westin Hotel  Mumbai Garden City,  also saw prestigious IIFTC awards for Cinematic Excellence being presented to the hugely-talented makers of  regional cinema movies including Hoon Tari Heer (Gujarati), Rocketry: The Nambi Effect, Gaalipata 2, Raymo (Kannada), The Proposal (Malayalam), Raangi (Tamil), Sardar (Tamil), RRR (Telugu) and OTT Series Shoorveer by Juggernaut Productions by various eminent foreign Delegates and Consulate Dignitaries

IIFTC 2023 Awards--CinePort magazine

The evening was also the opening night of the Three-Da global film-tourism unique mega-event featuring over 50 international companies from over 21 countries coming to Bollywood, Mumbai to woo Indian filmmakers and offer them attractive facilities, smooth procedures  and incentives for location shootings   The IIFTC 2023 event saw the active participation from foreign countries including Azerbaijan, South Africa, USA, Spain, Lithuania, Kenya, Canada, France, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Serbia, UK, Australia, Uzbekistan, Bulgaria, Netherlands, and Ukraine.  “This time besides all these foreign countries pro-active participation, we also have representative from Los Angeles (USA)—it’s as if Hollywood has come to Mumbai, It’s a proud moment for me and my team.” said IIFTC event organizer Harshad Bhagwat who is also the Editor of  ‘CinePort’ magazine. The latest Edition of CinePort was unveiled on stage by the Celebs-Award-Winners. The memorable IIFTC event was co-compered  by Poppy Jabbal and   the event saw the presence of  celeb-guests entrepreneur-actor-acting-guru Krishna Kotian, handsome film and TV star- actor –model Nandish Sandhu, travel-entrepreneur-film-producer-director-ad-film-maker Joe Rajan and glam-model-actress-social influencer Anjali Akhoury !

( The writer of this  features-news-story Chaitanya Padukone , is a Dadasaheb Phalke Academy Award winning eminent senior film-journalist-editor-author based in Mumbai )   

IIFTC event organiser Harshad Bhagwat (right) with sr film journalist Chaitanya Padukone

IIFTC 2023 Awards- Movies Director Imtiaz Ali with Chaitanya Padukone

IIFTC Event 2023 with Guests and Delegates

IIFTC 2023 Award winner Kabir Bedi with senior journalist Chaitanya Padukone