Aishwarya Rai

Salman Khan’s past hits will be showcased at the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards to be held from June 7 to June 10 in Yorkshire, UK. The actor is also expected to perform many romantic filmy dance numbers at the event.

Other performers include Shilpa Shetty, Akshay Kumar, Abhishek Bachchan and Bipasha Basu.

A surprising omission from the Salman Retrospective will be Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam! Is it because the film has Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai in the lead and may bring back old memories?

To hark back to the past, Sallubhai and Ash are reported to have fallen passionately in love during the making of this movie. Whatever the reason, other films like Maine Pyar Kiya, Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya, Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya, Hum Aapke Hai Kaun and Tere Nam – all of which are highly romantic films – will be shown during the festival week.

Additionally, the IIFA event will include a cricket match with celebrity players like Saif Ali Khan, Ajay Jadeja, Kapil Dev, Abhishek Bachchan Hrithik Roshan and Zayed Khan. Urmila Matondkar and Preity Zinta are slated to be the commentators. IIFA will also screen 2006’s most admired film Rang De Basanti under its English name Colours of Sacrifice, with some of its stars including Soha Ali Khan and Kirron Kher putting in a presence.

The high point of the week-long event – the awards ceremony – will be anchored by Lara Dutta, Arshad Warsi and Boman Irani and that promises to be a laugh riot, judging by the comic talents of the trio!

Amitabh Bachchan – who is the brand ambassador of IIFA – and Hollywood star Sienna Miller are expected to open the celebrations. Other Hollywood biggies like Colin Firth, Shawn Wright Phillips, Emma Thompson and Roger Christian may also participate, says a source from the communications agency Sterling Media.