Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan to Lead Star-Studded IIFA Awards 2027 in Abu Dhabi

Bollywood stars Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Shahid Kapoor are among the top celebrities heading to Abu Dhabi for the return of the International Indian Film Academy Awards to the UAE capital next January. Officially known as the IIFA Awards, the two-day event will take place on January 22 and 23 at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, marking the fourth time Abu Dhabi has hosted the prestigious ceremony.

Other confirmed stars for the lineup include Varun Dhawan, Janhvi Kapoor, Pankaj Tripathi and Ali Fazal, alongside director-producer Karan Johar. Organisers have yet to announce the final details regarding hosts, performers and award presenters. Tickets for the event are scheduled to go on sale at 10am UAE time on Friday.

This upcoming 27th ceremony is held in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and Miral. Abu Dhabi previously hosted IIFA in 2022, 2023 and 2024, establishing the capital as the event's longest-running recent home before the awards moved to Jaipur in 2025 for their 25th-anniversary celebrations.

“Returning to Abu Dhabi for our fourth showcase is incredibly special,” said Andre Timmins, founder and director of IIFA Weekend & Awards. Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, director general for tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, added that the return reflects the emirate's strong relationship with India and its growing profile as a global entertainment destination.

The IIFA Awards celebrate the best of Hindi cinema, while its sister event, IIFA Utsavam, recognises achievements across South Indian film industries including Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada cinema. First launched in London in 2000, the international event has traveled to numerous global cities over the decades.