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Aishwarya Rai Celebrates Mani Ratnam at IIFA Utsavam 2024
The IIFA Utsavam 2024, which took place at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, illuminated the night with the presence of talented personalities from both South Indian and Bollywood cinema. A particularly touching moment transpired when Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, after presenting the Best Director award to Mani Ratnam for his work on Ponniyin Selvan: II, demonstrated her respect by touching his feet, a gesture that has since captured widespread attention online.
Aishwarya triumphantly spoke to the media at the event, expressing her deep appreciation for Ratnam, whom she referred to as her “guru.” She reflected on her journey with him, saying, “From the beginning, I’ve been grateful to work with Mani Ratnam. It’s an honor to have played Nandini in Ponniyin Selvan and to share this success with our team.”
The night proved to be monumental for Ponniyin Selvan: II, which garnered several accolades. Vikram received the Best Actor (Tamil) award, while Aishwarya was celebrated with the Best Actress (Tamil) award for her compelling portrayal of Nandini. Aishwarya, dressed in a stunning ensemble by Manish Malhotra, remarked on the film’s warm reception from audiences and highlighted the collaborative nature of its success.
“Each of them in my heart is nominated. And each of them is a winner because the audience has loved that piece of cinema. So thank you for your love. Thank you for your support,” she added, acknowledging the film’s broad appeal.
The event witnessed other significant victories as well, including Rajinikanth’s Jailer, which was awarded Best Picture (Tamil), and Nani, who received the Best Actor (Telugu) award for his performance in Dasara.
The star-studded evening saw appearances from notable figures such as Rana Daggubati, Chiranjeevi, AR Rahman, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Karan Johar, and Vicky Kaushal, making the IIFA Utsavam a celebration of excellence in South Indian cinema and a gathering of Bollywood elite.
Looking ahead, the highly anticipated IIFA Awards 2024 are slated to take place on September 28, with the iconic Shah Rukh Khan serving as host. The event promises more unforgettable moments and enchanting performances by stars like Rekha, Shahid Kapoor, Kriti Sanon, Ananya Panday, Janhvi Kapoor, and Vicky Kaushal.
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www.news18.com