Bollywood stars to head for IIFA 2008 at Bangkok

Mumbai, May 23: A constellation of A-list stars will participate in this year's International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards, to be held in Bangkok on June 8.

The star line-up including Akshay Kumar, Kareena Kapoor, Katrina Kaif and Govinda was announced by Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan here, at a press conference yesterday.

Mr Bachchan also spoke about his eight-year long association with the IIFA, and said Bangkok, the ninth location for the awards was a beautiful city. He also said ''Sarkar Raj'' would premier at the awards.

Television viewership for the event is expected to cross the 500 million viewers from 110 countries, to witness multi-star performances by Priyanka Chopra and, to showcase Harry Baweja's ''Love Story 2050''. The award ceremony also includes performances by the ''De Taali'' team comprising of Aftab Shivdasani, Riteish Deshmukh and Ayesha Takia, ''The Mission Istanbul'' line up -- Zayed Khan, Vivek Oberoi and Shriya Saran, and ''Acid Factory'' cast -- Dia Mirza, Fardeen Khan, Dino Morea and Aftab Shivdasani.

According to sources, Thailand is one of Bollywood and Indian television producers' favourite locations where approximately 30 movies and 100 television serials having been shot, generating 30 million dollars.

Bollywood spends 200 million dollars annually on foreign shoots.