IIFA Awards 2024 Exclusive: Icons Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Rani Mukerji Reclaim the Throne, Rekha and Hema Malini Celebrated As Legends

The 2024 edition of the International Indian Film Academy Awards, better known as the IIFA Awards, was held over the weekend from September 27—29 at the Etihad Arena in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The grand event, where LatestLY was present on all three days in the UAE, saw a lot of firsts and comeback acts of iconic legends on stage. The IIFA Awards 2024 Weekend reinforced the stardom of three iconic superstars of Bollywood and Indian cinema – Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Rani Mukerji, while also honouring and celebrating the talent of legends like Hema Malini and Rekha. Best of IIFA 2024: SRK-Vicky Kaushal’s Moves, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s Moments, Bobby Deol’s ‘Jamal Kudu’ to Rekha’s Dance, 16 Unmissable Highlights From the Awards Show! (Exclusive).

Shah Rukh Khan Makes Grand Comeback as Bollywood Megastar

Shah Rukh Khan got emotional while accepting the Best Actor (Male) honour for his film Jawan (2023) at the IIFA Awards 2024, revealing how difficult it was for him to shoot the film due to a low phase in his personal and professional life. The iconic Bollywood superstar, revered in India and internationally, stated that winning the IIFA Award this year was like making a comeback in the industry. While for fans, King Khan was always there, it is a fact that his last few films before the 2023 blockbusters Pathaan and Jawan were not appreciated by audiences. In 2023, SRK was also seen in Dunki. Finally, the Scorpio King rose like a Phoenix and proved himself again.

IIFA Awards 2024: SRK Back to Hosting Duties With Wit, Humour and Charm

But the IIFA Awards win wasn’t the only comeback of King Khan ­– the superstar also returned to hosting duties in Bollywood. Known for being a witty and spontaneous host, SRK hosted the IIFA Awards for the second time – after a gap. The absence of regular host Salman Khan – another Bollywood superstar – added to SRK’s fanhood. Shah Rukh Khan is THE BEST host of live awards shows, and fans will agree. He may not have been as good as Salman Khan or Amitabh Bachchan with his television stints on Kaun Banega Crorepati 3 or Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Se Tez Hai? and other shows he hosted, but SRK is the best at hosting and roasting at awards shows, adding wit, humour and charm to cater to everyone. The scripted and spontaneous jokes and dancing with co-host Vicky Kaushal aside, Shah Rukh Khan was humble on stage with legends like actress-dancer Hema Malini and director Mani Ratnam, and charming with co-actor Rani Mukerji. He acknowledged the fact that it was Hema Malini, who as a filmmaker gave him a break in Bollywood. He touched the feet of Mani Ratnam (his director for Dil Se) and was graceful with music composer AR Rahman, as he accepted the award for Jawan from the two legendary gentlemen.

Shah Rukh Khan Wins at the IIFA Awards 2024 for Best Actor (Male) for ‘Jawan’

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan – the Queen of Hearts Rules at IIFA Utsavam 2024

The IIFA Awards 2024 was also a comeback for Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Taking the top honours for the South Indian IIFA Awards, called the IIFA Utsavam 2024, Aishwarya’s Best Actor (Female) win was well-deserved for Ponniyin Selvan-II (aka PS-2). Also, when the film won Best Director at the IIFA Awards 2024, it was Aishwarya who handed out the award to her mentor. On stage, she touched the feet of Mani Ratnam to show respect and seek his blessings, as is a practice among Indians. On the green carpet, Aishwarya was unapologetic about having daughter Aaradhya Bachchan accompany her at international events. The former Miss World also took group selfies with the media and was all smiles and glowing.

IIFA Utsavam 2024: Aishwarya Rai Bachchan Wins Best Actor (Female) for 'Ponniyin Selvan-II'

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Aaradhya Bachchan Bond at IIFA Awards 2024

IIFA Awards 2024: Rani Mukerji Steals the Show

Renowned for her acting skills and not just beauty, Rani Mukerji reinstated her position as one of Bollywood’s best with her IIFA Awards 2024 win for Best Actor (Female) for her poignant performance in Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway. Rani was graceful at the IIFA Awards 2024 show on stage and the green carpet. She delivered a long and prepared speech on the film and thanked people for the award. While on stage to announce an award, Rani let her co-star in many films, SRK, have his moment on stage, as he helped her with her saree ensemble. SRK-Rani and their director Karan Johar had a little reunion on stage, which was an unforgettable moment for audiences present to watch the IIFA Awards at the Etihad Arena. As Rani and SRK sat alongside each other at the IIFA Awards 2024 and even in their moments on stage, fans were taken back to the days when they shared good chemistry in several movies – including Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), Chalte Chalte (2003), Paheli (2005), and Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006). Moviegoers want to see SRK and Rani as an onscreen pair in a romantic movie again together! That would surely bring audiences back to the theatres, something that Bollywood romantic movies have been struggling to do of late.

Rani Mukerji Wins Best Actor (Female) for 'Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway' at IIFA Awards 2024

Reunion of the '90s Favourite Trio at IIFA Awards 2024

Rani-SRK Unmissable Chemistry at the IIFA Awards 2024

‘Dream Girl’ Hema Malini at the IIFA Awards 2024

Hema Malini was bestowed with the Outstanding Achievement in Indian Cinema honour at the IIFA Awards 2024. The actress and dancer par excellence looked as elegant as ever on stage, as she accepted her trophy from her mentee Shah Rukh Khan. Gracefully, the ‘Dream Girl’ of Hindi cinema gave her thank yous and also spoke highly of her protégé Shah Rukh Khan, who reciprocated her kind gesture. Hema Malini said that she simply gave SRK a chance in films, but it was his hard work that has led to his extraordinary achievements.

Hema Malini Receives the 2024 IIFA Award for Outstanding Achievement in Indian Cinema

IIFA Awards 2024: Hema Malini and Her Protégé SRK on Stage

Rekha – Eternal Goddess of Indian Cinema

The beautiful actress and dancer Rekha is known for being versatile on screen. Rekha has won several IIFA Awards over the years, including the IIFA Lifetime Achievement Award 2012. Twelve years later at the 2024 IIFAs, Rekha mesmerised audiences again, as she performed on stage. The act was the last one at the IIFA ceremony after all the awards were given. It was almost 3 AM, but Rekha, who will turn 70 on October 10, showed ultimate professionalism and grace in her performance. The audience waited for her act – who knows when one would get the chance to see her live, or whether she would perform again? Looking jet-lagged but not missing a beat, Rekha showed her fans that she is still the best. Rekha at IIFA Awards 2024: Bollywood’s Evergreen Beauty Mesmerises Audiences With Her Stunning Performances to ‘Piya Tose’ and ‘Pardesiya’ (Watch Videos).

Rekha Performs at IIFA Awards 2024

With the IIFA Awards 2024, the three icons of Indian cinema – Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Rani Mukerji – have reclaimed the throne with their talent, beauty, grace, and camaraderie. In the second innings of their life and career, the best is yet to come from Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Rani Mukerji. The IIFA Awards 2024 only helped reiterate and amplify the gut feeling of their fans globally and of the film industry. Having said that, fans also wish to see Hema Malini and Rekha in roles suitable to their current temperament and tastes in cinema. The IIFA Awards 2024 brought all these legends together on one stage.

Disclaimer: LatestLY attended the IIFA Awards 2024 Weekend as part of the media.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 06, 2024 01:58 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).