Indian stars shine as 'Bollywood Oscars' hit Bangkok

BANGKOK (AFP) — Scores of Indian stars are to light up Bangkok this weekend as film legend Amitabh Bachchan presides over "Bollywood Oscars" celebrations, which kick off on Friday with the premier of his latest movie.

The debonair veteran of Indian cinema will host the awards ceremony for the International Indian Film Academy on Sunday, which is expected to draw 600 million television viewers.

At least 500 Bollywood celebrities -- including Akshay Kumar, Kareena Kapoor, Katrina Kaif and Govinda -- have gathered for a glitzy weekend here to promote their unique brand of film-making abroad.  . . .

All that leads up to the awards ceremony, which will hand out 13 honours, culminating with the Best Picture award that could go to "Guru," "Chak De India," "Jab We Met," Om Shanti Om, "Life in a Metro" or Partner.

. . .