Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; July 17, 2017)

Glamour, grandeur and gumption - Bollywood is an interesting and somewhat, heady mix of these. And the recently concluded 18th edition of International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards celebrated Bollywood in all its glory, raising a toast to the best in the industry.

After the two-day gala that included IIFA Rocks and a ceremony honouring technical excellence, the stage was set for the grand finale that was held on July 15 at the MetLife stadium in New Jersey. Karan Johar and Saif Ali Khan played perfect hosts as they left the audience in splits with their wisecracks.

Alia Bhatt, who had twin wins (Style Icon and Best Actress for Udta Punjab) kick-started the evening with her superlative act. The actor even pulled Varun Dhawan from his front row seat to join her in dancing to Badri Ki Dulhania.

Alia Bhatt

If Alia celebrated the best of her career, rumoured couple, Sushant Singh Rajput and Kriti Sanon, brought back the swinging '70s as they grooved to chartbusters of the era. Dhawan paid tribute to his father David, who completes 30 years in the industry.

Shahid Kapoor took to the stage with much enthusiasm as he showed off his exemplary dance moves. His wife Mira was heard complaining good-naturedly how the actor was too busy with his rehearsals to show her and baby Misha around in New York.

Katrina Kaif at the IIFA
You may complain about her acting chops (or the lack of them), but Katrina Kaif showed that when it comes to shaking a leg, there's no one quite like her. Flaunting her perfect 10 body in a yellow top and black pants, Kat set the stage on fire with Kamli, Dhoom Macha Le and Kala Chashma. The birthday girl had a surprise waiting for her - as the clock struck 12, Bhatt and Dhawan took to the stage to sing 'Happy Birthday' to Kaif, who blushed crimson.

Looks like singing was the order of the day. Besides Bhatt and Dhawan's impromptu singing act, Salman Khan too showed off his skills behind the mic as he crooned 'Main Hoon Hero Tera'. He also dished out the perfect closing act as he danced to his chartbusters.

Nepotism Rocks?
Host Karan Johar took his war with Kangana Ranaut a step further as he took a dig at the actor with co-host Saif Ali Khan.

When Varun Dhawan picked up his award, Khan joked, "You're here because of your papa," to which Dhawan replied, "You are here because of your mummy." KJo joined them and said he was in the industry because of his father.

The trio then shouted, "Nepotism rocks." Taking the joke further, Khan and Dhawan then started singing Bole Chudiya Bole Kangana when Johar cut in and said, "Kangana nahi bole toh achcha hai."