IIFA 2027: Varun Dhawan Slams Lack of Respect for Technicians; Salman Khan Steps In
Varun Dhawan speaks on the need for technician recognition at IIFA 2027, while Salman Khan offers a witty tip on hosting the awards.
The excitement for the 27th IIFA Awards is already hitting a fever pitch. During a star-studded press conference in Mumbai, actor Varun Dhawan, who is gearing up for his hosting debut at IIFA 2027, sparked a meaningful conversation about the unsung heroes of cinema—the technicians. While discussing the spirit of the awards, Varun expressed his concern that the technical brilliance behind the scenes often goes unnoticed in the glamour of award ceremonies.
A Call for Recognition: Varun's Bold Stance
Varun Dhawan, who will be sharing the hosting duties with Ananya Panday, Karan Johar, and Maniesh Paul, believes that award shows should pivot their focus back to the core of cinema. He emphasized that the celebration should not just be about the faces on screen, but also about the performances and the technicians who make the magic happen.
"I feel today at film awards we talk about everything but films. We are here to celebrate films, actors, performances, and technicians. I am a technician’s son. I always feel the importance we gave to technicians before, we don’t give them that respect today. Hopefully, this time…"
Varun's emotional appeal was quickly met with a correction from Salman Khan, who noted that the industry's perspective has evolved. Acknowledging the shift, Varun added that Salman Khan has personally ensured that technicians will receive the respect they deserve this time around.
Salman Khan's Witty Advice on Hosting
While Varun is eager to bring an "unfiltered" and "unhinged" energy to his role as a host to keep the focus on cinema, Salman Khan had a very different suggestion. Known for his no-nonsense approach and his experience hosting Bigg Boss, Salman offered a piece of candid advice when asked how Varun should handle the ceremony.
With his trademark wit, Salman quipped, "Don’t host. Six hours go into hosting. Best is to perform and leave."
A Star-Studded Gathering
The press conference was a gathering of Bollywood's biggest names, including Shahid Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Rashmika Mandanna, Ali Fazal, Pankaj Tripathi, and Abhishek Banerjee. Among them, Rashmika Mandanna shared her joy about finally making her IIFA debut after eight years, expressing her excitement for her upcoming live performance.
Kareena Kapoor Khan also reflected on her long-standing association with the awards, which spans over a decade, while Shahid Kapoor urged the media to be kind in their judgments of the stars' appearances during the event.
Where and When: The Grand Stage
The 27th IIFA Awards are set to take place on January 22 and 23, 2027, at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. This marks the fourth time the ceremony will be showcased in Abu Dhabi, organized in partnership with Miral and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi.
The event promises a spectacular lineup of performances, featuring heavyweights like Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor Khan, and Janhvi Kapoor, ensuring that the 2027 edition is one for the history books.