RAAVAN will not be screened at IIFA

Mani Ratnam film `Raavan`, will not be screened at the 11th India International Film Academy Award.

``Raavan`` is a loose adaptation of the Hindu epic ``Ramayana``, in which Sita, the wife of Lord Rama, was abducted by the Lanka King, Ravana. Reportedly, the film will have a new twist on the ``Ramayana``, as the film does not follow the plot of the epic.

Academy Award-winner A R Rahman has composed the score of the film, which is slated to release on Friday (June 18). The IIFA 2010 is being viewed in Sri Lanka as a ``coming out`` platform for a nation that is emerging from 30 years of civil conflict.

However, there are speculations that the decision came after IIFA is being looked upon as controversial function by some south Indian filmmakers, as it is being held in Sri Lanka, where Sri Lankan Tamils were reportedly massacred last year.

The Tamil film fraternity has also rejected the idea of an Indian film event in Sri Lanka. Even popular Tamil actors Rajnikanth, Kamal Hassan, Vijay, Ajith and Surya have also reportedly declined to take part in the IIFA.

Recently, the Tamil community group in Mumbai staged a protest at the residence of Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan, who is a brand ambassador for IIFA.

Bachchan is due to attend the awards ceremony in Colombo from June 3-5.

IIFA is an organization dedicated to promoting Indian Cinema abroad, focusing on places with concentrations of Indian Diaspora, and the awards function last year was held in Macau in China.

‘3 Idiots` bags Maximum nominations in IIFA

‘3 Idiots’ has bagged maximum number of nominations at the 2010 International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards to be held in Colombo from June 3.

Directed by Rajkumar Hirani and produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra, ‘3 Idiots’ marked its presence in all categories except best supporting actress. It has received 14 nominations including best film, best actor, best director and best actress, among others.

Other films nominated are Saif Ali Khan`s ‘Love Aaj Kal’ that has bagged nine nominations, while IIFA brand ambassador Amitabh Bachchan-starrer ‘Paa’ and Shahid Kapoor`s ‘Kaminey’ both got eight nominations each.

"Colombo marks the second decade of IIFA. The nominees for the Micromax IIFA Awards 2010 are a compilation of the best work from the previous year and the suspense and celebration of these worthy nominations will undoubtedly create another magical IIFA," said Sabbas Joseph, one of the directors of Wizcraft, in a statement.