Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, the Bollywood icon, graced the International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA) Utsavam 2024 in Abu Dhabi, alongside her daughter, Aaradhya Bachchan. The mother-daughter duo was spotted posing on the red carpet, exuding charm and grace.
When asked by a reporter why Aaradhya accompanies her to various events, Aishwarya, with a warm smile, responded, “She’s my daughter. She goes with me everywhere.” This affectionate bond between the two has been a frequent sight at prestigious international events. Just last week, Aaradhya was seen accompanying her mother to Paris, where Aishwarya walked the runway at a L’Oreal Paris event. Aaradhya has also been a constant presence at the Cannes Film Festival over the years.
Aishwarya’s presence at IIFA Utsavam 2024 wasn’t just as a guest. She took the stage to present an award to acclaimed filmmaker Mani Ratnam, who won the Best Director (Tamil) award for Ponniyin Selvan II. In a touching gesture, Aishwarya sought Ratnam’s blessings by touching his feet and then embraced him, showcasing their strong professional bond. IIFA Utsavam’s official Instagram account shared a video of this heartwarming moment, which was widely appreciated by fans.
Dressed in a stunning black and golden ensemble, Aishwarya herself was honoured at the event, winning the Best Actress (Tamil) award for Ponniyin Selvan II, which had been nominated in 13 categories. Reflecting on her longstanding association with Mani Ratnam, she said, “I am very grateful that I got to work with him for my first movie. I was so honoured that he asked me to be his Nandini in Ponniyin Selvan.”
Ponniyin Selvan II, a sequel to the 2022 film, features a stellar cast including Vikram, Karthi, Trisha, and Jayam Ravi. The epic historical drama continues the saga of the Chola Dynasty and has garnered critical acclaim since its release.
IIFA 2024, a three-day event held from September 27-29 in Abu Dhabi, kicked off with IIFA Utsavam, celebrating the South Indian film industries. The event will culminate with IIFA Rocks, featuring performances by Honey Singh, Shilpa Rao, and Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy.
