Director Hemanth Rao Slams IIFA for 'Disrespect' Over Award Snub: 'I Sat Till 3 Am Only To Realize...'

Kannada director Hemanth M Rao has lashed out against the organisers of IIFA 2024, accusing them of mismanagement and creating inconvenience for attendees. The director, who was nominated for his film Sapta Saagaradaache Ello – Side A, took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to recount his disappointing experience at the awards show that was held at Yas Island In Abu Dhabi. He labeled the entire experience as “disrespectful” and called out the event’s poor handling.

Hemanth Rao pointed out that it’s customary for nominees and winners to be flown in and hosted for such events, which happened in his case as well. Both he and his music director, Charan Raj, were flown to Abu Dhabi for the ceremony. However, despite attending the event until 3 in the morning, neither of them received any awards. While Rao clarified that he had no issues with other nominees winning, he voiced his frustration, calling it a “complete waste of time.” Tharun Sudhir won the award for the Best Director (Kannada) for Kaatera.

“The whole IIFA experience was such a massive inconvenience and extremly disrespectful. I’ve been in this business for over a decade and this wasnt my first stint at award shows. Its always been a case where the winners are flown in and hosted for the event. For context, I was sat till 3 AM in the morning only to realize there was no award. The same happened to my Music Director: Charan raj (sic),” he wrote.

He added that it isn’t the case of “sour grapes”. Mentioning that nominees weren’t even mentioned, he continued, “Its your award. You can give it to whoever you want to. Thats your choice!! I haven’t won MANY awards and havent lost sleep over it, so these grapes arent sour. If all the other nominees were invited and one winner emerged out of it. I wouldnt bother getting irritated. Also, the fomat this year was just to hand out the award. The nominees weren’t even mentioned.

Maybe its been a while for you and your team to realize it. Your award shows run on the talent that you put on your stage. NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND. I dont need your award to enjoy the best job in the world. Next time you need me on your stage… and TRUST ME…you will. Take your award and keep it where the sun dont shine (sic).”

On a parting note, he said that he was happy to see his colleagues win. “Everything has a silver lining. Mine was to see several of my team members go up on stage and recieve a bunch of awards. It wasnt a complete waste of time. Cheers (sic).”