Friday, June 17, 2011

IIFA doesn't need a brand ambassador

Although he misses megastar Amitabh Bachchan, IIFA’s former brand ambassador, during the award function, Anil Kapoor feels that just like the Academy Awards have no brand ambassador, IIFA needs no one to endorse it too.

"For any institution, which is honest, sincere and transparent and entertains, you don't need a brand ambassador! Have you ever heard of a brand ambassador for the Oscars or BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) awards? For an institution like IIFA, one doesn't need a brand ambassador. Everyone associated is a brand ambassador in himself," said Anil.

The three-day IIFA Weekend extravaganza, to be held from June 23 to June 25 in Toronto, is expected to draw a huge Bollywood turnout including Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Saif Ali Khan and others. However, the Bachchan family, that used to be a regular at the event for a decade, will be missing.

"They will be missed and his absence will be felt 100 percent," said Anil, who considers himself a "friend of IIFA".

Anil, who has made a name for himself in the international market too with projects like "Slumdog Millionaire" and TV series "24", recently shot in Toronto for 'Mission Impossible 4'. He says their hospitality is extremely warm, and that Canadians are awaiting to welcome Bollywood with "open arms".