13 dancers from Leicester have been selected to perform at the prestigious International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA) in Madrid from 23rd-26th June. Each of the dancers all train at Shiamak Davar’s Bollywood dance school in the City. The Academy, which established itself in Leicester in 2014, has been in intense rehearsals for the dance opportunity of a life time.
The IIFA is now in its 17th year, is the celebration of Indian cinema and endeavours to showcase to the world the wealth of talent Indian Cinema has to offer. The weekend consists of fun-filled activities that bring the fans close to their favourite stars.
The Bollywood version of the Oscars will take place on 25th June 2016 with the red-carpet stars including Hrithik Roshan, Deepika Padoukone, Salman Khan and Priyanka Chopra.
One of the lucky students Dhaval Mahendralal said: “I have been a big Bollywood fan for years. I love the films. But the chance to dance with your screen idols is something else. All of us are very excited and it will be a great experience for all who go.”
The incredible Shiamak Davar will be choreographing, who has spearheaded the moves of all the Bollywood stars for over a decade, is known for his colourful and majestic stage performances with the use of grand props, sets and visually enthralling choreography.
The IIFA Awards is a sold out event and is expected to have an audience of more than 8,000 people.
Anand Bhatt, the Producer Aakash Odedra Company said: “Rehearsals began yesterday here in Madrid and were going on well into early hours of this morning, and back on again this afternoon. There are 115 dancers in total, all from the Shiamak Davar’s Institute of Dance in Mumbai, aside from those from Leicester.
“It’s very exciting because the event is sold out here in Madrid and it’s the first time it’s happening in the area. One of the very special things that’s going to take place this year is there’s a special kind of relationship between flamenco and Indian dance, the dancers are going to put on a special performance because the gypsies which originated from India landed in Spain.”
