By Mata Press Service

 

Vancouver will host a mega Bollywood event with some of the world’s biggest stars highlighting a weekend in April to boost tourism and business between B.C. and India.

At a press conference last Tuesday, B.C.Premier Christy Clark announced that Vancouver has been chosen as the inaugural host destination of the Times of India Film Awards to be held in April 2013.

The Province of British Columbia will provide $9.5 million matching funding to the Times Group for production costs. An additional $1.5 million is being budgeted for various promotional and community activities in B.C. including hosting the BC-India Global Business Forum.

In terms of numbers of films produced, Bollywood is the biggest film industry in the world with over 1000 films every year. Bollywood films are watched by almost 14 million Indians every day.

“India’s middle class is rapidly expanding, opening up new opportunities for trade and investment that will create jobs here at home,” said Premier Clark. 

“Hosting the Times of India Film Awards is one piece of our government’s market outreach efforts in India, a once-in-a-generation economic opportunity for British Columbia, and one that our government is not prepared to let pass us by.” 

The Times of India Film Awards 2013 celebrations span over a weekend from the 4th of April to the 6th of April. 

April 4th shall see leading musicians from the Hindi Film Industry regale audiences with a concert at the Pacific Colliseum, tickets for which would be on sale 10th February onwards on www.ticketleader.ca. 

April 5th shall see film screenings of popular Hindi films across multiplexes in British Columbia which would be open to public. 

The weekend culminates into a grand awards ceremony at BC Place on 6th April 2013. The awards ceremony shall see power packed performances by Shah Rukh Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, Katrina Kaif, Abhishek Bachchan and many more leading celebrities as well as the film fraternity in attendance at the event. Tickets for the grand awards ceremony would be available on sale February 10th onwards on www.ticketmaster.ca

Present at the press conference, Film director and producer Karan Johar said. “I am delighted to be at the launch of TOIFA and in this beautiful city of Vancouver. I personally think this is an exceptional concept and a great opportunity for us to connect with all our international fans. TOIFA 2013 will also be celebrated as a centenary milestone to showcase Hindi Cinema’s legacy in the last 100 years. The Hindi Film Industry is no longer confined to the borders of the subcontinent and is rapidly expanding its reach. In fact, I have shot numerous films abroad and very rarely have I seen a place so picturesque as Vancouver, British Columbia, I am enjoying every moment here”

Contemporary Indian actress Chitrangada Singh further added, “I am very excited to be part of TOIFA’s launch at Vancouver and represent the Hindi film industry. The atmosphere here is amazing; we are really humbled by the love of our fans. Looking forward to a great awards weekend.”

Talking about TOIFA 2013, one of India’s best known Choreographer Shiamak Davar said “It’s great that The Times of India group has taken such an initiative to merge the boundaries between cinema and people from across the globe. As a director of choreography, entertainment design and as a performer, not only is it truly rewarding to receive the love & support of our fans but it also amazes me to see the international recognition and notice that Indian cinema has got today. TOIFA is even more special for me as the hosting city Vancouver is my second home so I’m going to have my dancers from India and Canada coming together for this! I am excited to be part of this grand celebration of talent and creativity at TOIFA 2013.”

The Times of India Film Awards, popularly known as TOIFA, is envisioned to be a global property felicitating outstanding movies and personalities in the Hindi Film Industry through a popular global voting mechanism. The Times of India group, creators and presenters of The Times of India Film Awards, is India’s largest media conglomerate with presence across diverse media platforms. Through their power brands, the group reaches an average of 90 million people per day. The Times of India broadsheet is the world’s largest English-language daily in terms of circulation

Talking about the launch of TOIFA, Mr. A.P. Parigi, Member, Board of Directors, Bennett, Coleman & Co. LTD. said, “The launch of TOIFA coincides with the Times of India Group’s 175 glorious years of thought leadership in the media and entertainment business. We are now proud to launch TOIFA, a global awards platform that was conceptualized to create bonds between people and countries by bringing the industry closer to fans from across the globe and uniting them on a common ground. 

He further added, “With the Awards being held in Vancouver, British Columbia, it is going to be the beginning of a new collaboration with a destination which is home to the second largest Indian and South Asian population in Canada. We are excited to present an unforgettable experience and share the magic of Indian cinema with the audiences!”

The Province of British Columbia will provide $9.5 million matching funding to the Times Group for production costs. An additional $1.5 million is being budgeted for various promotional and community activities in B.C. including hosting the BC-India Global Business Forum.

The event would also serve as a catalyst to create a long term year on year increase in tourism from India due to the awareness and positioning of British Columbia through The Times of India platforms.

“The Times of India Film Awards is a catalyst for building awareness of B.C. to Indian businesses, deepening relationships and kick-starting enhanced trade activities,” said Pat Bell, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour. 

“While we’ve already had great success building high-level relationships, we now need to focus on telling average Indian businesses and travellers what B.C. has to offer. As the largest media conglomerate in India, the kind of exposure Times Group can offer is unparalleled.”

 “The Times of India Film Awards is an opportunity to showcase British Columbia as a creative industries powerhouse; as a destination for investment and tourism; and as a partner on economic and social priorities that are common to India and the province,” said Yuen Pau Woo, president and CEO of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada

"India is the fastest-growing nation in the world; it will be the third-largest economy in the world by 2050. The exposure our province will gain in India through this agreement will open the door to significant economic and job opportunities," said Iain Black, president and CEO of the Vancouver Board of Trade. 

"India is an obvious business ally for us here in B.C., as we have a common bond through language, the Commonwealth, shared culture, and a firm commitment to democracy and open markets." 

"The economic potential and benefits of showcasing British Columbia as a potential travel, trade and investment destination through the Times of India Film Awards is significant, leadership-oriented towards creating jobs and building our economy," said Anita Huberman, CEO of the Surrey Board of Trade.