IIFA - an adventure in Toronto Part 1

There's something strangely sad about coming home from a vacation that fulfills nearly all of your expectations. Now that I'm back, full throttle into the reality that is my life, I feel as if the last 4 days were little more than a dream. I wish I was still sleeping!

Friday was such a blur. My sister and I got into Toronto in the afternoon, and, after meeting Filmigirl (who is AWESOME by the way), and checking into our hotel, we headed to meet the lovely Beth Loves Bollywood and Irena at Aroma. The food was so divine I couldn't get enough. Mmmmm......




Even Mini Khan made a welcome appearance! What?! I was just curious!


With the Red Carpet Vivek Oberoi party (you know the one that was highjacked by Shah Rukh!), on it's way it was time to head back to the hotel and get ready. I never EVER wear a dress, but this was a special occasion, so I had to get all dressed up. Once we got to the Sheraton, I was so happy that we had line by pass tickets. That was until I realized that there was no such thing and we had to stand at the back of the line anyway. Oh well. At least it moved fast! So, go from this line to get your wrist bands, to this line to get downstairs, to this line for red carpet pictures and you are finally in! WOO HOO!




I have to tell you, for someone who loves desi/filmi music so much but only gets to appreciate it in the comfort of her home or blaring in the car, it was SO GREAT to be able to dance to my favorite songs in a club like setting. Of course, after getting a wine, we started up right away!


Apparently, like most Indian organized events, there was absolute chaos! No one with a vip wristband knew where to go for the actual meet & greet. Some people were saying, "Just head to the front", which we tried only to be scolded at very ominously by a large white security guard. SCARY! Finally they announced where to go, and, as we made our way over, we were bombarded with people just trying to get a closer look. However, those wristbands were awesome things, because it allowed us to actually go on stage with the very handsome Vivek Oberoi. I remember thinking I wondered how I would ever react if I got a chance to actually meet a celebrity. Would I be cool. Would I be a total fangirl. I'm not actually 15 years old anymore, after all. So, when I got a chance to meet Vivek, I think what I came up with was, "I'm so happy to meet you. I loved you in Prince." Smack head! What a wasted opportunity! Though, to be fair, they were ushering us over that stage so fast I felt completely rushed! Oh well, at least I got myself a pic of the event to commemorate my complete lack of eloquence.

I hate this picture of me, but oh well, it's me and VIVEK OBEROI! WOOT!!!!

After Vivek was done, we were graced by the one and only Shah Rukh Khan. You know, for the amount of people that seemed to be milling around outside the Sheraton, there didn't seem to be the thousands of peeps inside that we were expecting. That being said, I didn't get as close to him as I would have preferred, figuring at least 30 - 40 yards between the love of my life and myself. It was close enough though to get a few snaps and see him answer questions, say some dialogues, show off his signature filmi move. The crowd was crazy over him, and I'm embarrassed to say that after all was said and done I had to excuse myself to go compose and get it together!! Geez! At some point I'm sure I will outgrow this crazy fangirl inside me.... ah who am I kidding, I'll be the same when I'm 60!


One of the better shots I got of Shah Rukh. He looked tired I thought,
but still very handsome and dapper!



A much better pic courtesy of Projected Life Photography, who very kindly took our photographs with Vivek and some great photos of the guest of honor!

After all the hubub over our wonderful hosts of the evening were over, the dj threw on some fantastic tunes and filmigirl, my sister and I hit the dance floor! No sooner had we started to rock out when we were joined by a small group of ladies, who were amazed that we knew the words to the songs! From that point on, we had people coming up to us all night wondering who we were, how we knew Bollywood, asking to take our photos. It was strange but fun and we continued to dance the night away until the wee hours of the morning! I even won an official party Shah Rukh tshirt! Woot!




I was so excited to meet some of my SRKAngels from twitter, including srksuperfanatic and shahrukhzangel and twitter friend Daniel. Brief as it was, I was thrilled to spend time with them all.


Shruti, me and Nabila! SRKAngels represent!!!


Filmigirl, Daniel and me!

A fantastic day! An even more fantastic night. It was really an amazing time, and I made memories to last a lifetime!

Stay tuned for Part 2 - IIFA fever!

11 Response to "IIFA - an adventure in Toronto Part 1"

  1. Filmi Girl says:
    June 28, 2011 at 7:19 PM

    Love the write-up!!! And that pic of you and Vivek is cute! :)

  2. Jules says:
    June 28, 2011 at 7:25 PM

    What a totally fantastic overview, Didi! It was a blast meeting Filmi Girl and the 3 of us got on so well. Can't wait to do something again all together!

    Guess I'd better get my ass in gear and do my write up too.

  3. Bollywood says:
    June 28, 2011 at 8:12 PM
    This comment has been removed by the author.
  4. Mia says:
    June 28, 2011 at 8:28 PM

    you three are so cute!!!! looks like you had way more fun then i did watching from the couch ( AND THAT WAS FUN BTW)! dancing!! wine! bw. Indians. SRK!I dearly hope the rumors are true about the IIFA in Vegas!

  5. Anishok says:
    June 28, 2011 at 9:37 PM

    Great post! :D Btw, you look great in that dress, you should dress up more often!

  6. bollywooddeewana says:
    June 29, 2011 at 6:18 AM

    aHH HOW SWEET, THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR PICS AND EXPERIENCE

  7. Shellie says:
    June 29, 2011 at 7:50 AM

    @Filmigirl - Ugh. I look atrocious in that pic. Such a bad angle, but thanks anyway yaar!

    @Jules - Yay for sister weekends! Thanks for joining me!

    @tBf - next time you have to come! If it's in Vegas next year you must!

    @Mia - What channel was it broadcasting on? I wondered if it was going to telecast live because of the huge delay of getting started! That's IST for you!!!

    I'm so crossing my fingers for IIFA Vegas! Could be even better than this year! (though that's hard to imagine!)

  8. Shellie says:
    June 29, 2011 at 7:57 AM

    @anishok - thanks sweetie! It's amazing what a little weight loss will do. still wish you could have been there with us!

    @bollywooddeewana - I will always share! Glad you enjoyed!

  9. Daddy's Girl says:
    June 29, 2011 at 8:57 AM

    I love this post and pictures - you look SO happy and carefree and beautiful, and I'm so glad you had a great time in Toronto! I met Shruti and Nabila too (Seher as well), but somehow we forgot to take pictures in all the excitement! I love the picture of you and Vivek... how cool!

  10. Shellie says:
    June 29, 2011 at 11:44 AM

    You are way to kind my dear! I'm still SO bumbed we didn't cross paths for all of our trying!

    It's hard to get all the pics when you are that pumped up, hey?!

    Yay for IIFA bringing us all together!

  11. Anonymous Says:
    June 29, 2011 at 8:17 PM

    Vay! Thanks for the write up! You all look fantastic! I'm delighted you had such fun. :) xoxo
    All the best!
    Sita-ji