Grand preparation underway for IIFA awards, says MP minister

Madhya Pradesh's capital Bhopal and its commercial hub Indore will host the 21st edition of the International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA) event from March 27 to 29. While speaking to ETV Bharat, Madhya Pradesh's Tourism Minister, Surendra Baghel said, "IIFA Awards is a good opportunity for us to promote tourism."

Bhopal: Starting its journey from London 20 years ago and traversing across major world cities, the International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA Awards) will this year travel to Indore, Madhya Pradesh's commercial hub that will host the mega Bollywood event.

The 21st edition of IIFA awards will be held in the City of Lakes here on March 21, while the main function will be organised in Indore from March 27 to 29.

With the arrival of IIFA Awards, the entire film industry will converge in the city.

On this context, Madhya Pradesh's Tourism Minister, Surendra Honey Singh Baghel while speaking to ETV Bharat said that we needed an opportunity to promote tourism in the state and what better than IIFA to take it onto next level.

'Many places to shoot films '

The Congress leader said that there are many places like Mandu, Chanderi, Panchmarhi, Maheshwar where film shootings can take place, all in the Hindi Heartland of the country.

'Construction of Film City soon'

While speaking to ETV Bharat, Baghel announced that the government is planning to construct a film city in the Indore. Since its a big project, there are various measures to be taken care of such as Investment, Availability of Land, Air connectivity and many other procedures is underway.

'Madhya Pradesh, the face of Tourism'

When asked about the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) claimed that the Congress-led Kamal Nath government is 'splurging' on IIFA awards, Baghel said, "We want to develop the state and make it the face of Tourism."

He further added, "Unlike BJP, who did nothing for tourism for the past 15 years of their governance, CM Nath is making efforts to promote the state. "

This will be the 21st edition of the IIFA Awards which were first presented in 2000 in London. So far, IIFA Award functions have been held in 12 countries in cities like Dubai, Bangkok, Singapore, Colombo, Toronto, Madrid and Macau.

Indore will be only the second Indian city, after Mumbai in 2019, to host the high-profile event, generally, a star-studded programme attended by who's who of the Hindi film industry.

(With agency inputs)