Skip to content
  • Destinations
    • AFRICA
    • BHUTAN
    • BRITAIN
    • CANADA
    • COSTA RICA
    • DUBAI
    • INDIA
    • INDONESIA
    • IRELAND
    • ITALY
    • JAPAN
    • MYANMAR
    • NEPAL
    • PHILIPPINES
    • SRI LANKA
    • THAILAND
    • UNITED STATES
    • VIETNAM
    • UZBEKISTAN
  • Destination Guides
  • India Tours
  • Travel Blog
  • Behind The Dream
  • Resources
BreathedreamgoMobile logo

Breathedreamgo

The transformational travel guide

Bollywood in Toronto: Fave moment #3 – the stars

by Mariellen Ward · July 3, 2011December 14, 2018 This post may contain compensated links. Find more info in my Disclosure Policy.
This entry is part 6 of 7 in the series IIFA Awards at Fairmont Royal York

IIFA Awards at Fairmont Royal York
  • Bollywood primer: Top 4 things you need to know
  • Fairmont Royal “Raja” York is ground zero for the IIFA Awards
  • IIFA in Toronto: The epicentre of Bollywood
  • Bollywood in Toronto: Fave moment #1 – Shahrukh Khan
  • Bollywood in Toronto: Fave moment #2 – the fans
  • Bollywood in Toronto: Fave moment #3 – the stars
  • Bollywood in Toronto: Fave moment #4: Mariellen at the Fairmont
Bollywood actress Mallika Sherawat at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel during the IIFA Awards. Photo courtesy Andrew Adams Photography
Bollywood actress Mallika Sherawat at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel during the IIFA Awards. Photo courtesy Andrew Adams Photography

Table of Contents

  • Bollywood in Toronto
    • My top five favourite moments
    • Fave moment #3: The stars
    • Back down on earth
    • Favourite Bollywood movies

Bollywood in Toronto

My top five favourite moments

This is the third in a series of blog posts about my favourite moments of the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards weekend in Toronto, June 2011. I had the good fortune to be the “embedded” blogger at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel, the IIFA’s host hotel, during the Bollywood invasion, so I was right at the centre of the action. Number 1 moment: Meeting Shahrukh Khan. Number 2 moment: Fan frenzy.

Fave moment #3: The stars

The pillars of excitement at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel during IIFA were definitely the stars. Every time a Bollywood star entered or left the hotel, a bubble of excitement burst in the lobby, resulting in a chorus of near-hysterical cheers. I had a media pass, so I was able to gain access to off-limit areas, and it became normal for me to see stars like Anil Kapoor, Sonu Sood, Ritesh Deshmukh, Arshad Warsi, Priyanka Chopra, Boman Irani, R. Madhavan, Dia Mirza, Zayed Khan, Sharman Joshi, Shabana Azmi and Harman Baweja milling around the hotel.

Bollywood actor Arshad Warsi at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel during the IIFA Awards.
Bollywood actor Arshad Warsi at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel during the IIFA Awards.

I briefly interviewed Arshad Warsi, as I am a big fan of the film Lage Raho Munna Bhai, which he starred in (along with Sanjay Dutt). The film is about a small-time crook who falls in love with a radio personality and imitates a Gandhian scholar to win her. I asked him about the success of that film, its enduring appeal and Gandhi’s legacy. He said, “It’s the simplicity of the film that people like. It’s a simple movie, made from the heart. The writer and director (Rajkumar Hirani) really put his heart and soul into the script, and you can see that. A complicated message is said in simple words by two idiots.” I laughed, “Two lovable idiots!” And he agreed.

With regards to the Gandhi sub-theme, he said, “Some people got it, some people didn’t. I wish people would actually imbibe what the movie is all about, and accept it and use it… but that’s not going to happen.”

Otherwise, I had only brief conversations and didn’t interview anyone else — except Shahrukh Khan, of course, which I wrote about in my blog Meeting Shahrukh Khan. I reminded Priyanka Chopra that I had previously interviewed her, and she seemed to remember (which shows character, if you ask me — and I am impressed by her: she is not only gorgeous, she seems like a nice person). The interview is reprinted on my blog Role Models. And when I saw Sharman Joshi, one of the stars of the hit film 3 Idiots, I blurted out, “Oh, wow, it’s an idiot!” Which he took in stride. “That’s not the first time you’ve heard that, is it?” I said, to which he good-naturedly shook his head. I also spoke briefly to R. Madhavan, who I am hoping to interview, and had a fun little moment with Dia Mirza in the hallway after the IIFA Awards show — she was carrying her shoes and told me her feet were hurting. She looked lovely, very sweet and she was wearing a tasteful and stunning evening gown. She didn’t want me to take her picture, so I didn’t.

Bollywood actress Dia Mirza at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel during the IIFA Awards. Photo courtesy Andrew Adams Photography
Bollywood actress Dia Mirza at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel during the IIFA Awards. Photo courtesy Andrew Adams Photography

Back down on earth

The stars create the excitement, the buzz, and they are a necessary part of the film world, and I understand that. However, I must admit to feeling uncomfortable around the hysteria and frenzy. These people are just that, people. Some of them are very talented, or very good looking (occasionally both), but are they any more talented than the Fairmont Royal York Hotel chef Vishwa Mohan? Or any better at their jobs than the hotel’s ace PR Director Melanie Coates? Or the many journalists who were covering the IIFAs? Or the huge team of event organizers? Or the crews that make the films?

The film industry has done a great job at marketing itself, and creating an illusory world complete with “stars” who shine brightly down from on high. It’s easy to get swept up in the hype, in the excitement — I know I did, and by the end of the week, I barely knew who I was! I had a lot of fun, don’t get me wrong; and I loved being a guest of the Fairmont Royal York Hotel, but I think it’s important to keep the “stars” in perspective and not overly idolize them.

Bollywood actor Vivek Oberoi and director Karan Johar at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel during the IIFA Awards. Photo courtesy Andrew Adams Photography
Bollywood actor Vivek Oberoi and director Karan Johar at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel during the IIFA Awards. Photo courtesy Andrew Adams Photography

I wanted to interview certain people I admire for their movie choices (like R. Madhavan or Arshad Warsi) or their grit and talent (like Shahrukh Khan) or their intelligence and commitment to community (like Shabana Azmi). But I don’t buy into “the fame thing,” which is about 2% based in reality and 98% illusion. And I am frankly uncomfortable with the level of narcissism or self-involvement needed to look like a movie star. I guess it’s all worth it, though, because I love the movies!

Bollywood actor R. Madhavan at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel during the IIFA Awards. Photo courtesy Andrew Adams Photography
Bollywood actor R. Madhavan at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel during the IIFA Awards. Photo courtesy Andrew Adams Photography

Favourite Bollywood movies

And speaking of movies, for those who are new to Bollywood and Indian cinema, here are some good recent choices to get you started (all films made within the last 10 years):

  • 3 Idiots starring Aamir Khan, Madhavan, Sharman Joshi and Kareena Kapoor (won the IIFA Award for 2009; top grossing Indian film of all time)
  • Paheli starring Shahrukh Khan and Rani Mukherjee (I wrote about this film in Shahrukh Khan and me)
  • Rang de Basanti starring Aamir Khan (inspiring film about a British woman who travels to India to make a documentary about freedom fighters; it was a huge hit in India)
  • Jodhaa Akbar starring Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan and Hrithik Roshan (won the IIFA Award for 2008 – fabulous costume spectacle)
  • Monsoon Wedding directed by Mira Nair (very modern themes, music by Canadian composer Mychael Danna)
  • Water directed by Deepa Mehta and starring John Abraham and Lisa Ray (an Indo-Canada co-production, one of my favourite films of all time – music by Canadian composer Mychael Danna)
  • Chak de India! starring Shahrukh Khan (girl power!)
  • Taare Zameen Par starring Aamir Khan (a very moving, heartfelt, three-hanky film … I wrote about it in Excellent Aamir Khan film picked up by Disney)

Photos courtesy photographer Andrew Adams of Katha Images. (Except photo of Arshad Warsi.)

[DISCLOSURE NOTE:  As embedded blogger during the IIFA Awards, I was a guest of the Fairmont Royal York Hotel. But as always, views expressed are my own and are in no way influenced by accepting accommodation. I will not compromise the editorial integrity of Breathedreamgo.]


If you enjoyed this post, please sign up to The Travel Newsletter in the sidebar and follow Breathedreamgo on all social media platforms including Instagram, TripAdvisor, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter. Thank you!

Series Navigation<< Bollywood in Toronto: Fave moment #2 – the fansBollywood in Toronto: Fave moment #4: Mariellen at the Fairmont >>
Related Posts
Bollywood actor Madhavan at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel during the IIFA Awards. Photo courtesy Andrew Adams Photography

Bollywood in Toronto: Fave moment #2 – the fans

View Post
Caught in the act! Me handing Shahrukh Khan my card and reminding him we have met before. Photo by Andrew Adams of Katha Images.

Bollywood in Toronto: Fave moment #1 – Shahrukh Khan

View Post
Photograph of party at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel during IIFA Awards. Photo courtesy Andrew Adams of Katha Images.

Bollywood in Toronto: Fave moment #4: Mariellen at the Fairmont

View Post
About Mariellen Ward

Professional travel writer Mariellen Ward is the founder of award-winning Breathedreamgo. Mariellen has a BA in Journalism and has been travel writing and blogging since 2005. She has won many awards, including a National Tourism Award from Incredible India Tourism, and writes for some of the world’s leading publications including BBC Travel and NatGeo Traveller India.

Breathedreamgo is an award-winning travel site published by Canadian travel writer and India travel expert Mariellen Ward. Breathedreamgo was launched in 2009 and focuses on transformative travel, travel in India, travel in Canada, responsible travel, and solo female travel.

Search

Newsletter Form Sidebar

Sign up for BREATHEDREAMGO DISPATCHES and get inspiration to live your travel dreams.

Sign up now and get a free copy of SONG OF INDIA.


Plan your dream trip to India!

Enquire about INDIA FOR BEGINNERS custom tours from BreatheDreamGo

Plan Your Trip

Featured by

Related Posts
Bollywood actor Madhavan at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel during the IIFA Awards. Photo courtesy Andrew Adams Photography

Bollywood in Toronto: Fave moment #2 – the fans

View Post
Caught in the act! Me handing Shahrukh Khan my card and reminding him we have met before. Photo by Andrew Adams of Katha Images.

Bollywood in Toronto: Fave moment #1 – Shahrukh Khan

View Post
Photograph of party at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel during IIFA Awards. Photo courtesy Andrew Adams of Katha Images.

Bollywood in Toronto: Fave moment #4: Mariellen at the Fairmont

View Post
Filed under: Canada, News/EventsTagged under: Dia Mirza, Bollywood. film, IIFA Awards, Harman Baweja, Shabana Azmi, Sharman Joshi, Zayed Khan, movie, R. Madhavan, Boman Irani, Arshad Warsi, Ritesh Deshmukh, Sonu Sood, Toronto, Shahrukh Khan, priyanka chopra
About Mariellen Ward

Professional travel writer Mariellen Ward is the founder of award-winning Breathedreamgo. Mariellen has a BA in Journalism and has been travel writing and blogging since 2005. She has won many awards, including a National Tourism Award from Incredible India Tourism, and writes for some of the world’s leading publications including BBC Travel and NatGeo Traveller India.

Sign up for my newsletter and get
inspiration to live your travel dreams

Newsletter Form Page

Work with us

  • Work with us
  • Media kit
  • Testimonials

More information

  • Contact us
  • About Breathedreamgo
  • About Mariellen
  • Disclosure and Privacy Policy

Newsletter

Newsletter Form Footer

Copyright © 2024 Breathedreamgo
Site by Assistant

We use cookies to give you a better web experience and assume you're on board if you continue browsing this site. To find out about our cookie policy, please visit our Disclosure and Privacy Policy page. Accept Reject
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT