Photographers boycott IIFA after being abused
13th May 2007: Photographers today walked out of the JW Marriot hotel in Mumbai after being abused by members of the management team, Wizcraft.
A heated war of words ensued after a scuffle between a photographer and some of the members of the management team. All of the photographers then walked out of the hotel, telling reporters that they were boycotting the press conference.
Wizcraft’s chief Andre personally walked out of the hotel and spoke to the photographers on the streets and requested them to return. But united they walked out without listening to the authorities apology.
One of the photographers present, Viral Bhayani, said “The Indian media is finally taking some stern action against the film fraternity, which at many times has been unprofessional. Most of the stars never report on time and make the media wait for hours. This press conference too ran behind schedule and the media was made to wait for hours.”
Since the IIFA is backed by Amitabh Bachchan, many of the photography fraternity were already thinking about boycotting the event, prior to this incident. It is well known that during the Abhishek-Aishwarya wedding, many photographers were kicked and punched by the Bachchan security team.
This is the second big blow that the IIFA has received within days. Bollywood megastar Shah Rukh Khan has stated that he will not be attending the event in the UK. The reason behind this… is once again Mr. Amitabh Bachchan.
Shah Rukh Khan boycotted last year’s award ceremony in Dubai because he was holidaying with his kids in London. This year, he has said he will be taking the kids on vacation again. It is a well known fact that things between Amitabh and Shah Rukh are not as sweet sweet as they were a few years ago.
Shah Rukh not attending the event, and now the photographers boycott, will indeed tarnish the event. Shah Rukh is the most popular Bollywood actor in the UK, and his absence will be missed sorely.
However, Wizcraft have confirmed that Abhishek Bachchan , Aishwarya Rai , Hrithik Roshan Saif Ali Khan and Emraan Hashmi . Salman Khan and Govinda are all attending the event.
What do you think about this boycott by the photographers? Do you think this is the right action to take? Should the photographers back down and cover the event from professionalism? Leave your thoughts below.
Tony
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i think that you are the perfect couple in bollywood going you both are so made for each other
yes,finely photographers are right they should leave from amitabh’s banglow too why even thay have to stand there for his apology,poor people were standing out side for so long,right action, if thet don’t want lime light and do not give it to them
i think the photographers took the right step, its high time media should stand up for its dignity, n to many extent media creates a star, more than that entertainment is an industry and people here should behave professionally…
Certainly photographers should stick together; without them the “stars” would disappear. Also, that spaniel-eyed old coot Bachchan should retire to an ashram somewhere. He is totally boring.
Thanks for bringing this episode to us. None of the leading newspapers wrote this. Well, kudos to all the photogs present at the press conference and finally they proved to be the winners. Protocol needs to maintained at all levels,be it from the press side or from the event managers and the stars too. Is that the press photographers do not have other things to take care of after the event? Time is money for all in this market. I have witnessed photogs being manhandled and pushed by security and event managers,at events and inspite of being invited by the event managers. Poor guys have to take all the beating. My request is that there has to be unity in all respects and keep your professionalism so that nobody takes you for granted.
I was at the IIFA 2007 event few days ago and UNfortunately I only found today this article.
The attitude of the Actors was TERRIBLE all the conferences were late on Sat morning the first even was late of 2 1/2 h…….
Shame that we did not know, I think photographers should stick together and boycott this kind of bad attitude!