Zara Sheikh: Set for Dubai Film Awards

DUBAI (United Arab Emirates): Dubai is all set to organise a glitzy awards ceremony, which aims to bridge the gap between India and Pakistan and bring the people of the two nations closer together.

The 'Indo-Pak Mega Film Achievements Awards' will feature both Indian and Pakistani film stars and would honour artistes in different categories. The show's organisers also promise to donate all of the show's proceeds to the Prime Minister's Relief Fund in aid of the victims of the recent Tsunami disaster.

Speaking at a Press conference to announce the details of the show, Indian actor Sohail Khan who is also directing the show, said: "The various artistes from both India and Pakistan are very excited to be associated with the show and Inshallah we hope to bridge the gap between our countries with this initiative," he said.

The show is organised by Show Blitz LLC and will be held at the Al Wasl Football Stadium on February-17. The line-up of Bollywood stars confirmed to attend the show include Salman Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Fardeen Khan, Zayed Khan, Shilpa Shetty, Urmila Matondkar, Priyanka Chopra and Esha Deol. The Pakistani stars include Zara Sheikh, Resham, Meera, Saira Naseem, Amjad Saberi and Soniya Khan.

According to the organisers, the show's main aim is "to honour and appreciate individuals who have contributed to the advancement of cinema both regionally and internationally."

Riyaz Bhati, Chief Promoter and Managing Director of Lashkara Channel, said: "Over 300 artistes from India and Pakistan will be attending this event. We were keen to bring together on a single platform the talented artistes from both the countries. Also, all the funds collected from the show would be donated to charities that would assist the victims displaced by the Tsunami."

Khan also said that the show would feature performances from the stars, which would be professionally scripted, choreographed and rehearsed in advance. "We would be rehearsing separately in our countries but two weeks before the show we would come together in India for a final rehearsal," said Khan.

The awards will be decided through both polling and a jury. The polling process would take place in the UAE, Pakistan and India, enabling direct participation by the masses in the awards. The awards will then be shortlisted by the audit company and finally judged by the advisory board.

The advisory panel from Pakistan includes Nazir Baig (Nadeem), Samina Peerzada and Marina Khan. The Indian panel includes Waheeda Rehman, Pahlaj Nahlani, David Dhawan and Pooja Bhatt.●