The IIFA Utsavam Technical Awards 2024 proved to be an unforgettable night, showcasing the creative and technical geniuses behind Indian cinema. Set against the vibrant backdrop of Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, the prestigious Sobha IIFA Rocks event delivered a spectacular celebration of music, art, and the magic of cinema. Hosted by the charismatic duo of Siddhant Chaturvedi and Abhishek Banerjee, the event brought together some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry to honor the best in Indian cinema.
The spotlight of the evening belonged to “Ponniyin Selvan Part – 2,” which clinched three significant awards at the IIFA Utsavam Technical Awards. The film took home accolades for Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, and Best Background Score. A. R. Rahman, the renowned music maestro, was recognized for his outstanding contribution, winning Best Background Score for “Ponniyin Selvan Part – 2” (Tamil). This added to Rahman’s long list of achievements, further cementing his status as a legend in the Indian music and film industry.
The grand finale of the IIFA Festival was a night to remember. Legendary music trio Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy captivated the audience with their soulful and high-energy compositions. Celebrating 30 years of musical brilliance in Bollywood, their performance created a powerful connection with the audience, setting a perfect tone for the rest of the night. Shilpa Rao added her magic with powerful vocal performances, bringing an additional layer of emotion to the event. Following her, Honey Singh took the energy to new heights with his blend of rap and Bollywood beats, ensuring the audience remained on their feet. Lulia Vantur also brought her own charm to the stage with an elegant and captivating performance, rounding off an extraordinary night of music and artistry.
In addition to celebrating musical talent, IIFA Rocks 2024 honored the technical professionals whose expertise plays a crucial role in bringing Indian cinema to life. The night paid tribute to the technical masterminds in various categories, including Cinematography, Screenplay, Dialogues, Editing, Choreography, Sound Design, Sound Mixing, Background Score, and Special Effects. These behind-the-scenes wizards are often the unsung heroes of filmmaking, and the IIFA Technical Awards gave them the recognition they deserve.
Among the night’s major winners, G. K. Vishnu took home the award for Best Cinematography for his work in “Jawan.” In the Screenplay category, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Jaskunwar Kohli, Anurag Pathak, Aayush Saxena, and Vikas Divyakirti won for their collaborative efforts in “12th Fail.” Ishita Moitra was recognized for her exceptional work in crafting the dialogues for “Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani.” The Editing award went to Sandeep Reddy Vanga for his sharp and innovative editing in the movie “Animal.”
In the Choreography category, the popular duo Bosco – Caesar won for their stunning work in “Pathaan.” Sound Design was awarded to Sachin Sudhakaran and Hariharan M for “Animal,” while the Sound Mixing award went to Sampath Alwar, Chris Jacobson, Rob Marshall, and Marti Humphrey for their exceptional efforts in “Jawan.” Harshavardhan Rameshwar won the award for Best Background Score for “Animal,” showcasing his musical prowess in enhancing the emotional depth of the film. Finally, in the Special Effects category, the award went to Redchillies.VFX for their remarkable work in “Jawan,” elevating the film’s visual experience.
In the South Indian cinema segment of the IIFA Utsavam Technical Awards, the winners also delivered an impressive display of creativity and technical mastery. Ravi Varman won the award for Best Cinematography (Tamil) for his visually captivating work in “Ponniyin Selvan Part – 2.” The Screenplay award (Tamil) went to Alfred Prakash and Vignesh Raja for “Por Thozhil,” demonstrating their skill in crafting compelling narratives. Mahesh Babu P received recognition for his work in Dialogues (Telugu) for “Miss Shetty Mr. Polishetty,” while Ujwal Kulkarni took home the Editing award (Telugu) for his work in “Salaar: Part 1 – Cease Fire.”
In the Choreography category (Telugu), Prem Rakshit won for the popular song “Chamkeela Angeelesi” from “Dasara.” Thota Tharani was awarded for his stunning Production Design (Tamil) in “Ponniyin Selvan Part – 2,” while A. R. Rahman once again received the Best Background Score (Tamil) award for the same film, adding to his multiple wins for the evening. Mindstein Studios earned the Special Effects award (Visual – Malayalam) for their stellar work in “2018: Everyone Is A Hero,” showcasing the continued innovation in South Indian cinema’s technical field.
The night, co-powered by Maisour and Siggnature Finest Cardamom Seeds, was a true celebration of the remarkable talent and creativity that goes into making Indian cinema one of the most influential and beloved film industries in the world. With its vibrant blend of performances and recognition of the technical expertise that drives the industry forward, the IIFA Utsavam Technical Awards 2024 delivered an unforgettable night of celebration, honoring the unsung heroes who work tirelessly behind the scenes.
As the awards season continues to unfold, IIFA remains a crucial platform for recognizing the contributions of both stars and technical experts in Indian cinema. From music maestros to visual effects pioneers, the event highlighted the dynamic range of talent that brings films to life, ensuring that Indian cinema continues to shine on the global stage. The IIFA Utsavam Technical Awards 2024 was a powerful reminder that while stars may shine in front of the camera, it is the technical brilliance behind the scenes that often transforms a good film into a great one.