Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan expressed his excitement to fans, saying “it’s good to be back,” after winning the Best Actor award at the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards. Khan’s victory marked his return to the silver screen in 2023 after a four-year hiatus.
Addressing the audience at the star-studded event in Abu Dhabi, Khan shared his joy: “I think I have a little happiness from the audience this year because I worked (again) after a long time.” Shah Rukh Khan, one of India’s most beloved actors with a massive fan base both domestically and internationally, won the award for his role in the action thriller *Jawan*. He also co-hosted the ceremony, which took place in the UAE capital, a city known for its large Indian population.
Fireworks greeted Khan’s entrance, and the event featured numerous tributes to the Bollywood icon. Khan jokingly stated, “I love awards, I’m greedy about awards. I just want to tell you it’s good to be back.”
Other Bollywood stars were present at the event on Saturday, including Rani Mukerji, Anil Kapoor, and Bobby Deol. Mukerji took home the Best Actress award for her role in *Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway*, while Vidhu Vinod Chopra was awarded Best Director for *12th Fail*.
Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s film *Animal* won six awards, including Best Picture and Best Supporting Actor for Anil Kapoor.
Bollywood, the heart of India’s film industry, produces hundreds of movies annually and commands a significant global following. However, like other industries, it has experienced challenges since the COVID-19 pandemic, which shuttered cinemas and pushed many viewers toward streaming services. Despite this, 2023 has been a standout year, thanks in part to Shah Rukh Khan’s much-anticipated return.
This is the third time the IIFA Awards have been hosted in Abu Dhabi, and the event, which spans three days, also saw filmmaker Karan Johar co-hosting with Khan. Johar was honored with a special award celebrating his 25 years in the film industry.
