After Mumbai-based youngster files online petition opposing Bollywood’s misogynistic songs, IIFA promises to support her campaign in the upcoming awards edition
Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; January 26, 2019)

Bollywood has been plagued with songs that reek of sexism, for long. But now, things may be headed for a change. Chandana Hiran, a Mumbai-based chartered accountancy student, has filed a petition with change.org opposing the misogynistic songs that are regularly churned out by the industry. She has also requested International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) to publicly condemn the objectification of women in Hindi film songs at its 2019 awards show — a move that has met with a positive response from the IIFA team.

Hiran says the idea to condemn the act publicly stemmed from a personal experience — recently, in a case of eve-teasing, several boys sang Kaddu Katega Toh Sab Mein Batega (R... Rajkumar, 2013) as she stepped out of the college, the innuendo of the song not lost on anybody. “I would often see kids in my family dance to these vulgar songs. I don’t want any child to be taught that it is okay to equate women to objects like Afghan Jalebi, Tandoori Murgi or Zandu Balm.”

Ask her why she approached IIFA to champion the cause, and she reasons, “The entire film fraternity attends this show, and millions tune in, making it the best gender-sensitive platform to send out a powerful message.”

Andre Timmins, director, Wizcraft International, producer and creator of IIFA, recently tweeted to the youngster assuring that appropriate action will be taken in the regard.

When we reached out to IIFA, the organisers said, “IIFA stands against any injustice or mistreatment, regardless of gender and hence, we replied positively to this campaign. Injustice against women is a major problem in the world. IIFA, as a platform, is trying to help make a difference to such causes.”

Lyricist Sameer, who has penned songs including Aa Re Pritam Pyaare (Rowdy Rathore) and Sarkailo Khatiya (Raja Babu), said, “Many times, artists are under pressure from makers to produce a certain type of song. I have immense respect for women and have never intentionally written anything which objectifies them. The onus also lies on the directors, in terms of how they shoot a song.”


Kaddu Katega from R...Rajkumar prompted Hiran to start petition

Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; August 25, 2017)

Given that the fashion police is usually up in arms against Tinsel town celebrities, particularly during awards galas, it was unusual, bold even, for Sonakshi Sinha to sport a multi-coloured floral nine-yard for the International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA) in New York earlier this year.

Sinha received flak for her unusual outfit until it was later revealed by a celebrity photographer that the look was part of her upcoming Vashu Bhagnani project, Crazy Hum, based on the coveted awards night. Responding to the criticism, Sinha tells mid-day, "There was a lot of confusion over my outfits, because, one was for the shoot and the other was what I chose for the event. When people will watch the film, it will make sense."

The IIFA film, believed to be India's first staged reality film, pairs Sinha alongside Diljit Dosanjh. Sinha says she couldn't refuse the film owing to her long-standing association with IIFA organisers, Wizcraft. "Also, the concept is interesting, yet borderline bizarre. Nobody knew that an actual film was being shot live on the green carpet. It was funny as fans were calling out to us and we couldn't react because we were in character."

Bharati Dubey (MID-DAY; July 24, 2017)

It may have been over a week to the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards that was held in New York, but the award ceremony continues to hit headlines.

A day after filmmaker and CBFC Chief Pahlaj Nihalani sent a five-page legal notice to the IIFA and Wizcraft International [the organisers of the event] asking for a public apology for the defamatory remarks passed against him by Riteish Deshmukh and Maniesh Paul, the organisers have termed the whole episode a “misunderstanding”.

Speaking to mid-day, Sabbas Joseph [director, Wizcraft International, pictured on the right] said, “There is no statement or event in the show that warrants any notice. Pahlajji will get a better understanding of the show once he sees it. We have always respected Pahlajji, who has originally been on the IIFA advisory board, and has always been [of tremendous] help. I am sure it is a misunderstanding that will be corrected once Pahlajji sees the show on television again.”

In the legal notice sent to IIFA, Nihalani’s lawyer Suren Uppal stated that his client’s picture was misused at the awards ceremony. It further stated that Nihalani was referred to as a ‘watchman’ during a sketch performed by Deshmukh and Paul at IIFA Rocks, with the intent to “create an adverse atmosphere in the public against Nihalani” and “to increase the TRP of the show”. The notice also pointed out how defamatory remarks were passed against the CBFC by hosts Shahid Kapoor and Farhan Akhtar during IIFA 2016 as well.

The notice demanded that IIFA immediately withdraw the defamatory remarks made against Nihalani, under their authorisation. Nihalani also demanded an unconditional apology across media outlets and a pledge to not malign him in the future with such “frivolous remarks”. Last week, Nihalani had slammed the award show for not nominating Aamir Khan’s Dangal (2016) and Akshay Kumar [Rustom and Airlift, 2016]. IIFA had clarified then that Khan had not filed nominations in the first place.

Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; October 6, 2016)

Shortly after a teaser for upcoming release, Rock On 2 hit the Internet, the makers announced a US tour that the star cast of the film, wearing the garb of band Magik, would pull off. The plan was for a three-city tour across Houston, New Jersey and California scheduled for October 14, 15 and 16 where Farhan Akhtar, Arjun Rampal, Purab Kohli, Shraddha Kapoor and composer trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy would perform. Tickets were priced at $35, $55, $75, $100 and $300. The tour, however, now stands cancelled because sponsors allegedly pulled out. A look at the events listing page for Oracle Arena in Oakland (California), the venue for the Magik Tour on October 15, carries a ‘cancelled’ notice, with the assurance that the ticket money will be refunded.

A source said, “The sponsors pulled out after the film’s music received a lukewarm response. Dream Tour [the recent Katrina Kaif-Varun Dhawan-Arjun Kapoor-Alia Bhatt featuring US tour] had a more Bollywood feel to it. Rock On is not perceived as a quintessential desi film, and the Indian rock music it has to offer has few takers in the US.”

However, the film’s spokesperson defends saying, “It was a strategic decision so that Magik can plan more shows in India.” She told hitlist, cancelling the US tour was a strategic decision taken by the distribution partner (Eros International). “ Instead, a 12-city India tour is being planned,” the source said.

Although Indian rock fans are loving the beats of the sequel’s music, it has niche appeal. A source at Zee Music, requesting anonymity, said, “The current crop of college students aren’t familiar with the popularity of Magik. They are warming up to the music. Jaago is faring well across radio channels and is ranked among the top 50 songs on Itunes which is a stable start. But, rest of the songs feature nowhere since the music released a few weeks ago. The [India] concerts could pump new energy and help the film’s buzz.”

A source at Wizcraft, event organisers for the US tour, said, “We were asked to organise the tour, which we were ready to do. When we were told it was called off, that was that. It was the production’s call.” When we contacted the media wing of Sun National Bank Center, the venue for the show in New Jersey (October 14) , they told us, “The promoter asked for it to be cancelled. They take care of the sponsors. But, any show being cancelled is a branding loss for the promoter and its artistes. Bollywood fans were surely disappointed.” Their Houston promoter Rajender Singh, remained unavailable for comment despite repeated calls.

Text messages to co-producers Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar went unanswered, too.

Shubha Shetty-Saha (MID-DAY; April 16, 2014)

Travel agent Akarsh Kolaprath, who runs a Florida-based enterprise, has filed a lawsuit against Wizcraft, the organisers of the 15th International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA awards) for alleged breach of trust.

Kolaprath claims that about three years ago, he struck a deal with Andre Timmins and Viraf Sarkari of Wizcraft through his family company, 7M tours. As part of the deal, he was apparently asked to help them out with co-ordination of finances and taking the award ceremony to the United States this year. Kolaprath claims to have spent the last three years and around $ 2,65,000 on consulting and making travel arrangements for the organisation. In return, Wizcraft apparently promised him 3 percent of the entire profit.

Kolaprath says that he even managed hotel bookings for the event, which is going to be held from April 24 to 27. It seems that the event organisers have abruptly changed their mind and decided to do their own bookings and arrangements thereby cancelling his services. Kolaprath has now sued Wizcraft for $ 7 million dollars for leaving him in the lurch without giving him adequate reasons.

His claims are:
1. Wizcraft/ IIFA promised to pay him 3 percent of the anticipated $ 17.5 million in revenue that the organisation expected to earn from hosting the awards.
2. Wizcraft/ IIFA further promised to pay him all revenues earned in excess of $ 17.5 million.
3. His company, 7M tours, reported a loss of more than $ 400,000 in hotel cancellation fees due to change of dates.

Talking to hitlist from Florida, Kolaprath said, “This has affected us very badly; we have been working on the whole thing. I was the one who introduced them (Wizcraft) to the sponsors. But suddenly after we had done all the arrangements, we got to know that they were dealing directly with the sponsors and wanted me out of the picture. Their intention is not right.” He has now asked for a stay on the event till this issue is cleared. “They have been trying to reach some kind of settlement but I will go ahead with my case,” Kolaprath said.

When contacted, Sabbas Joseph, director of Wizcraft and IIFA, sent a statement on behalf of his company. The statement read, “The claims made by Akarsh/& 7M tours are false and frivolous. It is a concocted story lacking any substance. Since the matter is sub judice, we shall respond to these claims appropriately before the court.”

Controversy's child?
The brand ambassador for IIFA since its inception in 2000, Amitabh Bachchan was apparently miffed with the organisers in 2011 as not only did they decide to host the event in Sri Lanka without consulting him, but they also signed on Salman Khan to host the same. Big B had tweeted then, “Not coming to Toronto IIFA... IIFA says my services are not required.” Interestingly, Sallu received flak for agreeing to attend IIFA that year. When Vice President of Tamil Film Producers’ Council, A Prabhakaran, asked for a ban on the actor, Sallu allegedly replied that he didn’t mind being banned.