March 13, 2025: Rajasthan’s Leader of Opposition, Tikaram Jully, has strongly criticized the state government’s decision to spend over Rs 100 crore on the IIFA 2025 celebrations, questioning the real benefits to the state. The event, which took place on March 8 and 9 in Jaipur, was attended by Bollywood stars such as Shah Rukh Khan, Kartik Aaryan, Shahid Kapoor, and Kareena Kapoor Khan, and celebrated the 25th edition of the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards.
In a media interaction, Jully voiced his concerns about how the funds were allocated, arguing that the event primarily served as a promotional platform for IIFA itself rather than showcasing Rajasthan’s rich tourism potential. He pointed out that while the state government had heavily invested in the event, there was little effort made to highlight the state’s tourist destinations or its culture. “In the name of IIFA, the hard-earned money of Rajasthan’s citizens, more than Rs 100 crore, was spent, which was not necessary,” Jully stated. “The event didn’t feel like we were promoting Rajasthan at all. All the hoardings and banners were of IIFA, not Rajasthan.”
Despite Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari calling the event a matter of pride for the state and beneficial for Rajasthan’s tourism, Jully questioned whether the event brought tangible benefits. He criticized the lack of tourism promotion during the event, wondering whether any Bollywood stars had visited Rajasthan’s iconic tourist spots. “Did any actors visit Rajasthan tourist spots? It seems like it was a well-thought-out strategy to promote IIFA rather than the state,” he added.
Jully has demanded that the government provide a detailed breakdown of the expenditure related to the event, including how much money was spent on actors, organizations, and promotional activities. He is urging transparency and accountability regarding the funds allocated to IIFA, asking whether the event was purely for entertainment or if it truly benefitted the state in any meaningful way.
The IIFA 2025 event in Jaipur, though criticized for its lack of focus on Rajasthan’s tourism, was nonetheless a grand celebration of Indian cinema. The highlight of the evening was the success of Laapataa Ladies, which won the Best Picture trophy. Directed by Kiran Rao, the film was lauded for its storytelling and performances.