Big B opens 7th IIFA in Dubai

Dubai, June 14 (UNI) Superstar Amitabh Bachchan, brand ambassador of the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) today opened the four-day 7th IIFA extravaganza, and launched Sheena Sippy's IIFA commemorative book titled 'Lights, Camera, Masala'.

Even as reports of his alleged harrassment at the hands of the Income Tax department continue to hog headlines back home, the Big B appeared quite relaxed, albeit tired, mixing with fans and obliging them with pictures and autographs.

Mr Bachchan, who has just recovered from his illness, will not be performing this time at IIFA.

Director Karan Johar, who was also present on the occasion and has just wrapped up his mega film 'Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna', will launch the music of the film tommorrow, while Aishwarya Rai, who is shooting for Mani Ratnam's film 'Guru' in Chennai, briefly appeared to attend the premiere of her film 'Provoked'.

She will be flying back early tommorrow.

The book, 'Lights, Camera, Masala,' is an insider's look at the glitz, grit and grandeur of Hindi cinema, the world's largest film industry.

The book is a celebration of contemporary Hindi cinema popularly called Bollywood, and documents the fascinating process of making a typical commercial hindi film through adventures of a pair of ficticious characters Vijay and Ravi as they endeavour to make a hindi film of their own.

Famous film personalities varying from seasoned script writers Salim-Javed, Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai, Ramesh Sippy and Karan Johar share their experiences and provide insights into film-making. The book also records the stories of the those engaed behind-the-scenes.

Sheena Sippy's book, which has been authored by Naman Ramchandran, a screenwriter and filmmaker, is a rich tribute to the chaotic as well as entertaining world of Hindi cinema.

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