For the past 16 years, the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards have welcomed celebrities onto a vibrant green carpet, breaking away from the traditional red. This unique shift, first introduced at the 2007 IIFA Awards in Sheffield, UK, was not just a stylistic change but a powerful statement about environmental consciousness.
The Story Behind the Green Carpet
In a bid to raise awareness about climate change, IIFA launched the “Greening The IIFAs” initiative, replacing the classic red carpet with an eye-catching green one. The goal was to align the event with an environmental cause and leverage the influence of Bollywood stars to promote sustainability.
“IIFA has always put the environmental agenda at the forefront of its celebrations,” organizers explained. “The green carpet is a conscious effort to send a global message about sustainability, with celebrities serving as ambassadors for change.”
This initiative has since become a defining feature of the awards, reinforcing Bollywood’s commitment to social responsibility while ensuring that IIFA stands out in the world of entertainment.
The IIFA Awards: A Global Celebration of Indian Cinema
First held in London in 2000, the IIFA Awards were conceptualized by Mumbai-based Wizcraft International Entertainment to honor excellence in Hindi cinema. The event is hosted in a different international destination each year, promoting Bollywood’s influence across the globe.
Dubai hosted the ceremony in 2006, followed by cities such as Bangkok, New York, Colombo, Amsterdam, Madrid, Florida, Kuala Lumpur, and Macau. For the third consecutive year, Abu Dhabi is playing host to the star-studded festival at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island.
This year, the IIFA Festival spans three days, featuring multiple events:
- IIFA Utsavam (Friday): Celebrating South Indian cinema, hosted by Rana Dagubatti and Teja Sajja (Telugu), Sathish and Diya Menon (Tamil), Akul Balaji and Vijay Raghavendra (Kannada), and Sudev Nair and Pearle Maaney (Malayalam).
- IIFA Awards (Saturday): The grand Bollywood awards night, hosted by Shah Rukh Khan, Karan Johar, and Vicky Kaushal.
- IIFA Rocks (Sunday): A night dedicated to music, featuring performances by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, rapper Honey Singh, and singer Shilpa Rao.
Performances at the IIFA Awards will include Bollywood legends such as Rekha, along with Vicky Kaushal, Shahid Kapoor, Kriti Sanon, and Janhvi Kapoor. Meanwhile, IIFA Utsavam will showcase talents like Pragya Jaiswal, Raashii Khanna, Regina Cassandra, Prabhu Deva, and Shane Nigam.
The Legacy of the Red Carpet
The tradition of the red carpet dates back to the early 1900s when New York’s Central Railroad used it to guide first-class passengers onto trains. Hollywood later adopted it in the 1920s, and by 1964, the Academy Awards broadcast turned it into a global spectacle, marking the arrival of celebrities in grand style.
While red carpets remain a staple for film festivals and state events, IIFA’s decision to go green reflects a modern evolution—one that blends glamour with purpose.
A Celebration with a Cause
By continuing to embrace the green carpet, IIFA has successfully merged entertainment with environmental advocacy. The move not only distinguishes the Bollywood extravaganza from other global awards but also serves as a reminder that sustainability can be seamlessly integrated into even the most glamorous of events.
As Bollywood’s biggest stars walk the green carpet this year, they will once again reinforce a powerful message—that entertainment and responsibility can go hand in hand.