Salman Khan Dances With Varun Dhawan at IIFA 2027

Salman Khan offered a glimpse of his playful side at an event for the 27th International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards in Mumbai on Thursday evening, turning an otherwise routine interaction with the media into an entertaining exchange with fellow Bollywood stars. Accompanied by heavy security, the actor appeared cheerful as he interacted with Varun Dhawan, Rashmika Mandanna, Kareena Kapoor and other celebrities present at the gathering.

Two moments stood out during the event: Salman encouraging Varun to skip the lengthy business of hosting an awards ceremony in favour of an impromptu dance, and teasing Rashmika when she spoke enthusiastically about her first IIFA performance planned for the following year. Their exchanges drew laughter from the stars sharing the stage and offered a lighter moment amid the heightened attention surrounding Salman’s security arrangements.

The interactions also highlighted the informal side of celebrity press conferences, where conversations about performances, hosting responsibilities and upcoming appearances can become entertainment in their own right. For Salman, the event provided an opportunity to engage with the media and fellow actors while keeping the atmosphere relaxed.

Salman Khan’s Advice to Varun Dhawan Turns Into an Impromptu Dance

The most entertaining exchange of the evening began when Salman was asked whether he had any advice for Varun, who is set to host the upcoming IIFA Awards. Rather than offering a conventional list of hosting tips, the superstar suggested that his younger colleague avoid the lengthy commitment altogether.

Varun was standing beside Salman as the actor addressed the media. Responding to the question, Salman joked that hosting an awards ceremony could consume six hours and suggested that Varun should simply dance instead.

He then invited Varun to join him for an impromptu dance, turning his advice into a demonstration. The playful interaction reflected Salman’s familiar screen persona, in which humour and spontaneous movement often become part of the entertainment.

His suggestion was not a serious assessment of Varun’s hosting abilities. Instead, it offered a light-hearted take on the demands of a major awards show, where hosts must keep the programme moving while introducing performers, interacting with celebrities and entertaining a live audience.

For Varun, the exchange also provided an entertaining introduction to his upcoming hosting assignment. The actor is known for his energetic performances, making Salman’s suggestion that he dance rather than spend hours hosting a particularly fitting joke.

The moment was among the highlights of the press conference, with the exchange attracting attention beyond the event itself. Short, spontaneous interactions between established stars and younger performers frequently become memorable parts of awards-season publicity, especially when they reveal an informal side of celebrity relationships.

Rashmika Mandanna Gets Teased About Her IIFA Performance

Salman’s playful mood continued when Rashmika Mandanna spoke about her excitement at making her IIFA performance debut in 2027. The actor expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity, describing it as a new experience she was looking forward to.

Before she could finish explaining her excitement, Salman jokingly suggested that the payment might be the real reason behind her happiness. Rashmika reiterated that she was genuinely excited, allowing the exchange to continue as friendly banter rather than a serious discussion about remuneration.

Salman also teased her about how long it had taken her to join the IIFA performers, bringing her film Sikandar into the conversation. The remarks added another layer to the exchange, particularly because Salman and Rashmika shared the screen in the film.

Kareena Kapoor and Shahid Kapoor, who were also present on stage, joined in the laughter as the conversation unfolded. Their reactions helped maintain the relaxed atmosphere, with the gathering becoming less formal than a typical media briefing.

Although the jokes focused on money and the timing of Rashmika’s participation, the larger announcement was her inclusion in the upcoming awards programme. For the actor, the performance represents an opportunity to connect with audiences in a live entertainment setting beyond her film roles.

Film awards performances often involve a different set of demands from acting on screen. Artists must prepare choreography, coordinate with dancers and production teams, and deliver a performance designed for a large live audience as well as television or digital viewers. The scale and format of Rashmika’s appearance, however, were not detailed in the supplied event account.

Her enthusiasm at the press conference offered a glimpse of her anticipation without revealing what audiences can expect from the eventual performance.

IIFA 2027: What We Know About the Upcoming Awards

The Mumbai gathering was organised ahead of the 27th edition of the International Indian Film Academy Weekend and Awards, scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi in January 2027.

The event is set for January 22 and 23 at Etihad Arena on Yas Island. The two-day programme is expected to bring together film personalities, performers and industry representatives for a series of awards and entertainment events.

The announced line-up includes Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Shahid Kapoor, Varun Dhawan and Rashmika Mandanna, among other Bollywood names. Varun and Ananya Panday are set to host the main awards ceremony, while several stars are part of the announced performance line-up.

The distinction between hosting and performing matters because the two roles serve different purposes. Hosts guide the audience through the programme, introduce segments and maintain continuity between awards and performances. Performers, meanwhile, provide the musical and dance-oriented entertainment that forms a central part of the show.

Salman’s advice to Varun therefore carried an additional layer of humour: he was joking about the lengthy responsibility of hosting while encouraging the actor to do what audiences might already expect from an energetic entertainer.

For viewers following IIFA 2027, the press conference offered an early look at the personalities involved, although it did not establish the complete running order or reveal every detail of the planned performances.

Why the Abu Dhabi Venue Matters

IIFA has developed as an international showcase for Indian Cinema, bringing together film awards, performances and industry events outside India. Its overseas setting allows organisers to engage with audiences who follow Indian films across different countries.

The 2027 edition’s return to Abu Dhabi places the event in a destination that has hosted previous IIFA showcases. The choice of venue also means the programme involves more than the awards ceremony itself, with the wider IIFA Weekend incorporating additional activities around the main event.

For the film industry, events of this kind can serve several purposes at once: recognising film work, promoting upcoming projects, strengthening connections between performers and audiences, and creating opportunities for publicity.

For fans, the appeal often lies in the combination of award announcements, celebrity interactions and live performances. The spontaneous moments at press conferences can become part of that appeal long before the main ceremony begins.

Salman Khan’s Security Draws Attention After Mumbai Shooting Incident

While the IIFA press conference was dominated by jokes and celebrity interactions, Salman’s appearance also attracted attention because of the heightened security surrounding him.

The actor attended the Mumbai event accompanied by heavy security amid continuing concerns about threats linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Those concerns received renewed attention after a shooting incident involving actor Tiger Shroff in Mumbai on October 18, 2026.

Shroff escaped unharmed after unidentified assailants opened fire at a vehicle associated with him in the Juhu area. His driver and a bystander were reported to have sustained bullet injuries. The incident prompted a police investigation into the identity of the attackers and the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

Reports subsequently highlighted a purported claim of responsibility linked to individuals associated with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. The claim reportedly connected the attack to Shroff’s association with Salman. However, a claim made by a group or an individual is not, by itself, proof of responsibility or motive. The allegations must be distinguished from facts independently established by investigators.

The incident renewed scrutiny of security arrangements for prominent Bollywood personalities, particularly Salman, who has faced threats associated with the gang for several years.

In April 2024, two men on a motorcycle fired shots outside Salman’s Galaxy Apartments residence in Mumbai. The incident led to arrests and a criminal investigation. The attack became a significant part of the broader security concerns surrounding the actor.

The latest shooting involving Shroff has added another dimension to those concerns because of the reported reference to Salman in the alleged attackers’ claims. Investigators must establish whether any such connection is supported by evidence rather than relying solely on statements circulated online.

Why the Security Issue Matters Beyond Celebrity News

Security incidents involving film stars can attract intense public attention, but their implications extend beyond the individuals concerned. An attack in a public area can place drivers, bystanders, fans and other people nearby at risk, as the injuries reported in the Shroff incident illustrate.

High-profile appearances also require organisers and security teams to balance public access with personal protection. Press conferences, award ceremonies and promotional events bring celebrities into controlled venues where media representatives, staff and guests may be present simultaneously.

Visible security measures can therefore become a prominent feature of a public appearance even when the event itself is intended to focus on entertainment. In Salman’s case, his arrival under heavy protection was part of the context surrounding the otherwise light-hearted IIFA interaction.

It would be premature, however, to draw conclusions about the specific threat level or the effectiveness of any security arrangement based solely on an event appearance. Those assessments depend on information that may not be publicly available.

The shooting investigation and the security arrangements surrounding Salman are separate from the IIFA announcements. Keeping those issues distinct helps readers understand the entertainment event without treating unverified allegations as established findings.

Salman Khan’s Absence From Bigg Boss 20 Weekend Ka Vaar

Salman’s professional schedule has also drawn attention because of his reported absence from an upcoming episode of Bigg Boss 20.

In remarks explaining his absence from a previous weekend episode, the actor said that he had a prior commitment and would be away the following week. He also indicated that he had requested filmmaker Rohit Shetty to host the next Weekend Ka Vaar episode.

The distinction between the earlier scheduling explanation and the later security concerns is important. His stated reason for the planned absence was a prior commitment, and the account provided does not establish that the decision was caused by the shooting involving Shroff.

Television production schedules often require advance planning, particularly for programmes built around regular weekly episodes. A guest host can help maintain continuity when the usual presenter is unavailable, although the precise arrangements depend on the production team.

Salman’s role as the face of Bigg Boss has made his weekend appearances a familiar part of the programme’s format. Consequently, his absence can become a talking point among viewers, particularly when it coincides with a high-profile film-industry event or renewed public attention surrounding his security.

What to Expect From IIFA 2027 Next

The Mumbai press conference offered an early indication of the personalities and entertainment planned for IIFA 2027, but the main event remains scheduled for January 2027.

Several developments will determine how the awards programme takes shape in the coming months, including further announcements about performers, event scheduling and the details of individual appearances. The precise content of Rashmika’s performance and the full scope of Varun’s hosting duties were not established in the event account.

For Salman, the press conference demonstrated that he could bring humour to a formal promotional setting, whether by inviting Varun to dance or teasing Rashmika about her enthusiasm for the show. Those exchanges provided an early taste of the entertainment surrounding the upcoming awards.

At the same time, the public attention surrounding his security remains a separate and serious issue. The investigation into the shooting involving Tiger Shroff will need to establish the facts behind the attack, including the identities and motives of those responsible.

For now, the clearest takeaway from the IIFA gathering is the contrast between its relaxed on-stage atmosphere and the security concerns surrounding one of Bollywood’s biggest stars. Salman, Varun and Rashmika supplied the lighter moments, while the January event in Abu Dhabi will provide the stage for the performances and hosting duties that were the focus of the announcement.