In a television interview IIFA brand ambassador Amitabh Bachchan was stumped when the interviewer asked him the reason for King Khan Shahrukh’s absence from the awards ceremony in spite of the itinerary being out a long time ago. Bachchan in his typical diplomatic style gave an evasive answer but his body language clearly suggested that the differences between Big B and Badshah Khan have reached a standstill.

The other news from Dubai is that International Indian Film Academy premiered Jagmohan Mundhra’s ‘Provoked’ as the IIFA World Premiere Film for 2006, amidst a star studded premiere. The Red Carpet and premiere was attended by superstars Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, Shabana Azmi, Javed Akhtar at the Grand Cineplex in Dubai. The IIFA World Premiere film is presented by the Dubai International Film Festival.

The cast and crew received a glamorous welcome at the Red Carpet, with photographers and screaming fans coming together at the Grand Cineplex, as the stars walked down in style. Over the past few years, the IIFA World Premiere platform has showcased the Oscar-nominated Lagaan, Aankhen, Yuva and Parineeta, all of which have been critically and commercially acclaimed world over.

Set in London, Provoked is the traumatic story of Kiranjit Ahluwalia (Aishwarya Rai), a battered Punjabi Housewife and mother of two children. Unable to bear the brutality of her alcoholic husband (Naveen Andrews), she takes revenge by setting him on fire. Charged with first-degree murder, Kiranjit is sentenced to life imprisonment. While in prison she befriends her cellmate, a wealthy white woman, Veronica Scott (Miranda Richardson).