IIFA Utsavam 2024 LIVE: South Indian stars grace the green carpet in Abu Dhabi

Welcome to one of film’s biggest nights. Every year, IIFA Utsavam celebrates the best of South Indian cinema, including Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam films – and the awards are taking place in Abu Dhabi.

The event, taking place at Etihad Arena at Yas Island, will see a number of celebrities, moviemakers and and artists from the South Indian film industry come together for a gala featuring performances, award presentations, and cultural showcases.

Among stars expected to attend are Mani Ratnam, AR Rahman, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Ram Charan, Prabhu Deva and Rana Daggubati.

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Singer Mangli Singh, who has been nominated to IIFA 2024's Best Female Singer Category for her song from makes an appearance.

Indian playback singer and songwriter Rahul Sipligunjv is excited about his IIFA moment. He's looking forward to the performances that will happen tonight. He's no stranger to the stage, having lit up the Oscars stage with his performance of in 2023.

Meanwhile, the hosts, Vijay Raghavendra and Akul Balaji, are getting ready to liven up the stage.

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It's singer Shakthisree Gopalan’s first time at IIFA. She’s elated to see all the industries come together, she tells .

IIFA organiser Andre Timmins is dressed in a lime green suit for the evening. Ahead of the show, he told about how the celebration of Indian cinema transformed into a movement to showcase culture, establish business ties and expand Indian entertainment’s footprint.

Other stars including Shanthanu Bhagyaraj and his wife, Kiki, singer Haricharan, and Indian actress and model Sakshi Agarwal arrive.

Among the A-listers in attendance tonight is politician and leading actor and producer who works in Telugu cinema Nandamuri Balakrishna.

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Indian actor director, and producer Nassar walks the green carpet.

Actor Teja Sajja, who has worked in movies such as and says: "There are no Tollywoods, Mollywoods, there's just one India cinema industry and we're all representing that today" says Teja, as he stops for green carpet interactions, wearing a cream suit.

Siddharth Kannan, Indian television host and radio announcer was the first to arrive with his wife, Neha Kannan, at IIFA awards, Yas Island.

South Indian star Rana Daggubati arrived at 5.59pm. The Telegu actor who's all set to host the awards tonight looks dapper in an all black suit, with classic understated elegance.