VIDYA TAKES TAMPA BY STORM!

INDIAN CINEMA MEGASTAR VIDYA BALAN JOINS THE INTERNATIONAL INDIAN FILM ACADEMY (IIFA) ON A MULTI-CITY PROMOTIONAL TOUR IN THE UNITED STATES

·         The 2^nd IIFA US tour to visit New York, Houston, Tampa and Orlando

·         Vidya makes a public appearance at Eat at Joe’s

·         IIFA Magic of the Movies tickets go on sale this Tuesday, 15^th March on Ticketmaster!

·         Deepika Padukone to perform at the Tata Motors IIFA Awards

·         Ustaad Fateh Ali Khan to perform at the IIFA Magic of the Movies & Technical Awards

Tampa, FL, 14^th March, 2014 - The International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) is currently on a promotional tour in the United States. Having visited New York and Houston earlier this week, they will today be in Tampa and Orlando for the final leg of the tour.  Accompanying them is one of Indian cinema’s biggest names, actress Vidya Balan who will spread the word about the upcoming IIFA Celebrations presented by Freedom Health. David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts played venue host to the IIFA Presser in Tampa today. The Videocon d2h IIFA Weekend 2014 will be held from the 23^rd to the 26^th of April in Tampa Bay.

Marking her first visit to Tampa Bay, actor, Vidya Balan said, “Having travelled to a number of exotic locales the world over, IIFA has made its mark on the map, educating the world about Indian Cinema. Going forward, I am very pleased to be a part of IIFA’s landmark journey, as they venture into the United States, in Tampa Bay. I am excited to be a part of the IIFA Master Class this year and look forward to engaging with my fans in the US.”

Having played a large hand to bring the IIFA ceremony to Tampa Bay; cardiologist, philanthropist, community leader and strong supporter of IIFA, Dr. Kiran Patel said, “As the excitement builds up, we are pleased to have Ms. Balan join us in the US. With the descend of Bollywood in Tampa Bay and the continued goodwill of the Indian community behind us we look forward to the grandest celebration of Indian cinema that the US will bear witness to.”

With the spotlight on Tampa Bay, IIFA today announced actor Deepika Padukone’s appearance at the Videocon d2h IIFA Weekend in April. She is set to dazzle fans at the Tata Motors IIFA Awards where she is slated to perform.

Music takes center stage at this year’s IIFA, with performers such as Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Pritam, Farhan Akhtar, Aditi Rao Hydari, Shruti Hassan joining Bhoomi Trivedi, Monali Thakur, Ravi Drums and Ankit Tiwari in performances paying a befitting tribute to the soul of Indian films. The IIFA Magic of the Movies and Technical Awards will highlight the music of world renowned musician, Ustaad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. The Ustaad of Qawaali and Sufi music, Khan is famous for his unforgettable Bollywood chartbusters including Sajda (My Name is Khan), 'Teri Ore' (Singh is Kinng, 'O Re Piya' (Aaja Nachle), & 'Jiya Dhadak Dhadak' (Kalyug) to name a few. His famous international collaborations are Hollywood soundtracks Dead Man Walking, The Four Feathers and Apocalypto.

Indicating an overwhelming response across America, over 18,000 tickets across several categories have sold out for the Tata Motors IIFA Awards, to be held on April 26^th in Tampa Bay, Florida. Sensing the excitement in the U.S., the organisers today announced a selection of tickets opening up for IIFA Magic of the Movies and Technical Awards to be held on the third day of the Videocon d2h IIFA Weekend (25^th of April) at The MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre. IIFA Magic of the Movies and Technical Awards will be a night of music, dance and awards, with performances from Kareena Kapoor Khan, Sonakshi Sinha, Farhan Akthar, Bipasha Basu and a special musical act by Pritam. The show will be hosted by Bollywood’s nawab, Saif Ali Khan and actor-comedian Vir Das. Tickets for the same go on sale on www.ticketmaster.com, come Saturday, March 15^th.