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29 March 2024

DIFF 2015: A-List celebrities throng red carpet in Dubai

Published
By Bindu Rai & Sneha May Francis

Glamour stakes were high at the 12th edition of the Dubai International Film Festival's opening night, which saw the likes of Dev Patel, Michael B Jordan, Richard Dreyfuss, Naseeruddin Shah and others walk the red carpet.

‘Creed’ star Michael B Jordan gushed about working with Sylvester Stallone in the ‘Rocky’ series, saying: “When you think of Sly, you think ‘Rocky’. Sly is such an amazing personality. And still so fit. I had to work out real hard and give up a lot of indulgences to get ready for ‘Creed’.”

Meanwhile, American actor and TV personality Terrence J plans to go skydiving in Dubai if weather permits.

“I am here with the boys, so I can’t wait to hit the town with them over the next five days and perhaps even head out skydiving if possible,” he said.

The film festival, which runs until December 16, boasts a cinematic celebrations of 134 films from 60 countries – including 55 world and international premiers, 46 Mena premiers, 11 Middle East premiers and 17 GCC premiers.

AWARD CEREMONY:

Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum gives Lifetime Achievement Award to the DIFF 2015 winners.

French-Tunisian actor Sami Bouajila has been awarded for his incredible career, spanning three decades and forty titles. Sami is known for his eclectic range of acting choices, and celebrated for his performances in ‘Les Temoins’ and ‘Indigenes’.

Egyptian star Ezzat Al Alayli, Bollywood stalwart Naseeruddin Shah and Grande Dame of French cinema Catherine Deneuve also received the honour.

Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum gives Lifetime Achievement Award to Catherine Deneuve.

Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum gives Lifetime Achievement Award to Ezzat Al Alayli.

Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum gives Lifetime Achievement Award to Naseeudin Shah.

 

Light and sound show... over 1,200 VIP guests, film celebrities, media persons are present in the theater for the opening.

THE RED CARPET ARRIVALS:

'Jaws' Director Richard Dreyfuss was quizzed about Republican candidate Donald Trump and his comment on barring Muslims from entering the US. Without mincing words, he said: “Donald Trump can be ignored. Anything that comes out of his mouth falls in that category.”

Dreyfuss, who will be presenting ‘Jaws’ at the free screening on The Beach on Saturday, was upset about the volley of remakes that have come in wake of his iconic film.

Indian filmmaker Nagesh Kukunoor spoke about his film 'Dhanak' at Diff, which pits a Shah Rukh Khan fan against a Salman Khan fan.

When quizzed whether Kukunoor had invited Shah Rukh to the film's screening at Diff, he stated: "I just found out that SRK will be in Dubai. This is something I will definitely do."

Lifetime Achievement award winner Naseerudin Shah talked about his film ‘Waiting’, which is being screened at Diff this year, saying: “’Waiting’ is one of the best films I have ever worked on. It makes up for some of the worst films I have done in my life. It is truly an honour to bring it to Dubai.”

When quizzed about these so-called ‘worst’ films, Shah replied: “One of them was shot in Dubai last year.”

The actor filmed ‘Welcome Back’ in the emirate with Anil Kapoor and Nana Patekar.

Jordanian actress Seba Mubarak was at Diff as a representative of Arab Cinema, which she stated, was growing exponentially with the support of festivals such as Diff.

Heading the Muhr Feature Competition jury is Oscar-nominated screenwriter, director and producer, Deepa Mehta talked about the difficult task of selecting the top films at the festival, saying: “It all finally boils down to films that touch the heart. It does. But nothing competes with the craft. That is always what propels a film to great heights.”

 Buthaina Al Raisi, an Emirati who is promoting local cinema, arrived at the red carpet ready to take the flag forward for Arab Cinema.

‘Slumdog Millionaire’ star Dev Patel is at Diff to showcase his film ‘The Man Who Knew Infinity’, a biopic on the life of mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan.

Speaking about his film, Patel said: “There’s not enough diversity on the screen right now. I think that the people out here will really relate to this man, because he faced prejudice and overcame it so beautifully.”

A spectacular setting of the stage.

Actor Dev Patel arrives

Lifetime Achievement Award winner Egyptian actor Ezzat Al Alayli.

Jury members arrive at the DIFF opening.

 Media getting ready for the red carpet.

Lights, camera, action! Cameramen all set to shoot celebrities.