Shah Rukh Khan launches Times of India Film Awards in Mumbai following Vancouver announcement last week

VANCOUVER DESI

Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan reads out a statement during a function to announce the new Times of India Film Awards (TOIFA) in Mumbai, India on Jan. 29, 2013. The awards will take place in Vancouver, Canada from April 3 to 6, 2013. Punit Paranjpe/AFP/Getty Images

One thing’s for sure – the recently announced Times of India Film Awards will not lack for star power.

None other than Bollywood megastar Shah Rukh Khan presided over the Indian launch of the industry’s latest awards in Mumbai on Tuesday, following a launch in Vancouver, B.C. – where the awards will be held this coming April 3-6 – on Jan. 22, 2013.

“I feel very fortunate to be here,” Khan told those assembled at the press conference to announce the awards. “It is a fantastic platform. It gives me immense pleasure to be a part of it.”

Khan added that he will perform at the gala event, and will work with choreographer Shiamak Davar to create a memorable performance.

“It is just a couple of months away. I have just landed and was under the weather with a cold. But as soon as I recover I will be meeting Shiamak and planning for the awards,” Khan said.

According to British Columbia Premier Christy Clark, the Times of India Film Awards will be a boon to the province.

“Hosting the Times of India Film Awards is one piece of our government’s market outreach efforts in India, a once-in-a-generation economic opportunity for British Columbia, and one that our government is not prepared to let pass us by,” Clark said in a release.

However, there are critics in some corners who say that the awards are a form of political manoeuvring on the part of the Liberal government, given that they will take place just prior to the start of the official campaign for this May’s provincial election.

In one column, Province and Vancouver Desi political reporter Michael Smyth claims that Clark and the Liberals first wanted to partner up with the International Indian Film Academy awards, also known as the Oscars of India. However, when the IIFA committee refused to move up the timing of its event the B.C. government instead announced its commitment to the Times of India awards.

Smyth concluced that with the Indo-Canadian vote bound to be crucial in several swing ridings in the May 14 election, it seems clear the governing Liberals are using the event for political gain.

In the end, the real winner might be the film industry, which could see fruitful new partnerships forged across the Pacific Ocean.

Speaking at the Vancouver launch of the awards, and already impressed by his first visit to Vancouver, Indian film director Karan Johar plans to “scout around” for film locations when he returns in April.

While he admits it’s “definitely not cheap,” he believes Bollywood has the star power and production budget to film in the city.

“The beauty of it really makes up for it,” he said. “And April might inspire the entire film fraternity to shoot in the region … Many, many movie actors, many movie producers, directors will come and be greatly inspired by the visuals they will wake up to.”

As for Khan, he concluded the launch in India by saying the Times of India Film Awards (TOIFA) will definitely stand apart.

“There are so many award functions today but TOIFA stands for goodness, honesty and class. These will help us respect and understand awards,” Khan said.

The first-ever edition of the TOIFA will kick off April 3 with musical performances at the Pacific Coliseum, followed by film screenings across Vancouver. The grand event will close April 6 with a red carpet and awards ceremony at BC Place, graced by Bollywood stars such as Chitrangada Singh, Priyanka Chopra, Abhishek Bachchan and many more. Ranbir Kapoor and Anushka Sharma will host.

A jury will determine award nominees, with winners being determined by public vote.

Tags: Bollywood, Shah Rukh Khan, Times of India Film Awards, Vancouver