Bollywood extravagenza in Kuala Lumpur

KUALA LUMPUR: Hysterical fans greeted Bollywood heartthrobs Salman Khan and John Abraham who arrived for the world premiere of the Hindi movie "Baabul" as part of the second Global Indian Film Awards function.

More than 1,500 Malaysians, mostly women, stood patiently for more than three hours last night waiting for the stars at the TGV cineplex, adjoining the Petronas Twin Towers, one of the world's tallest buildings.

The crowd screamed names of their favourite stars as they entered the complex. While some had passes for the movie, most of the people had come just to see their favourite Bollywood stars. The organisers had booked all the six halls in the cineplex for the show.

Salman, wearing black trousers and black shirt, waved to the crowd, signed his name on a billboard outside the movie cineplex and walked inside.

John Abraham walked towards the crowd and shook hands with them sending them into throes of excitement, while Bipasha Basu, dressed in a beige gown with a plunging neckline, waited for him on the red carpet laid for the stars.

A few older fans, mostly Indians, cheered when yesteryear star Jeetendra wearing a long leather jacket walked to the cineplex. Former Bollywood dance queen Helen, wearing a peach coloured sari, was also greeted enthusiastically by the older fans.

Arbaz Khan, Rahul Roy, Hema Malini and Esha Deol also attended the function.

The movie premiere was part of a three-day Hindi cinema extravaganza, 2nd Global Indian Film Awards programme.

A football match between the stars and Malaysian ministers, a charity dinner and fashion show also includes the award function. Last year the awards ceremony to honour Bollywood stars was held in Dubai.

According to the organisers Entertainment Popcorn, owned by film actor Sunil Shetty, the three-day festival would also witness mega performances by Shahrukh Khan, Salman Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Priyanka Chopra, Katrina Kaif and Ameesha Patel. The emcees will be Arshad Warsi and Amrita Arora.

The movies up for GIFA nominations for best film are Kabhi Alvida Naa Kahna, Krrish, Lage Raho Munnabhai, Omkara and Rang De Basanti. Actors Aamir khan, Ajay Devgan, Hrithik Roshan, Sanjay Dutt and Shahrukh Khan will contest for the best actor award.

Best actress nominations includes Bipasha Basu, Kajol, Kangana Ranaut, Kareena Kapur, Rani Mukherjee and Alice Patten.