A dazzling ‘green carpet’ welcome was given to Ram Gopal Varma’s Sarkar Raj which premiered on the opening day of the three-day International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards gala in Bangkok Friday evening.

Scores of fans chanted "Abhishek, Abhishek," to welcome Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan, who stars in the film with his glamorous wife Aishwarya and iconic father Amitabh.

The three Bachchans were the focus of attention at the Paragon Cineplex venue, where hordes of Indian and foreign fans were waiting to catch a glimpse of their favourite stars.

Sahej, 12, a girl from Chandigarh, had come to Bangkok for a vacation. "I came to know that IIFA was taking place here only on the flight. So I came here to watch the stars," she told IANS.

Another young fan, 16-year-old Rishi from Kolkata, wanted to watch the premiere of the film but could only manage to see the film stars. "I tried to get the passes for the movie, but couldn’t. But I am happy to have seen my favourite stars here," he said.

The IIFA decided on a green carpet premiere to show its concern over global warming.

Amitabh walked in with his wife Jaya Bachchan, followed by Abhishek and Aishwarya. Among other Indian celebrities at the premiere were Shabana Azmi, Javed Akhtar, David Dhawan, Navin Nischol, Ajay Bijli, Zayed Khan, actress Mumtaz with her daughters and Neil Nitin Mukesh.

Though Kareena Kapoor, Viveik Oberoi, Urmila Matondkar and Diya Mirza are here to attend the IIFA, they preferred to give the Sarkar Raj premiere a miss.

Thai princess Sirindhorn arrived late amid tight security after all the stars had settled down, and later made a quiet exit.

The IIFA, which aims to promote brand Bollywood internationally, is marking its ninth edition. It has been held in eight countries on continents since its inception in 2000. Last year it was held in Yorkshire.

The Bachchans and the Kapoors – the two leading families of Bollywood – have been estranged since Karisma and Abhishek’s engagement broke off several years ago. But Randhir and Rajeev Kapoor did walk the green carpet together for the Sarkar Raj opening.