This year’s Telstra Bollywood Dance Competition featured Bollywood celebrity judges Malaika Arora, Nikkhil Advani and Avtar Panesar
Australia’s most loved Bollywood event, the 6th Annual Telstra Bollywood Dance Competition (TBDC), part of Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM), drew thousands to Melbourne’s Federation Square on Saturday, 11 August, with returning judge Bollywood superstar Malaika Arora, joined by Bollywood heavyweights Nikkhil Advani and Avtar Panesar to judge all the Bollywood dancing action from 31 dance groups.
The Telstra Bollywood Dance Competition immediately followed the emotional Indian Independence Day flag hoisting ceremony, with queen of Bollywood Rani Mukerji hoisting the flag in front of thousands of Indian Australians and people from the subcontinent diaspora.
Winning acts LAKS Dance Crew, C Walk and Fusion Beats wowed judges with their slick, polished performances and crowd engagement and each won $1,000 prize courtesy of Telstra.
Said celebrity judge Malaika Arora, “I’d like to thank Telstra for inviting me and my co-judges for the Telstra Bollywood Dance Competition. It is wonderful to see such large numbers of people coming to support their favourite group.”
“As someone who grew up outside of India, it is heartening to see Indian culture alive here in Australia. I see a lot of myself in these kids as they are embracing the language and culture,” added celebrity judge Avtar Panesar.
Jeremy Nicholas, Executive Director, Brand, Consumer, Business Marketing, Telstra said the company was proud to connect with the South Asian community for the sixth year with this event.
“We know how important data is for Bollywood and dance fans wanting to stream their favourite content online. This is why we have said alvida to excess data charges on a number of our new mobile plans for use in Australia,” he added.
Now on Australia’s best mobile network, customers can get 30GB for $69/mth with no excess data charges in Australia when you bring your own compatible phone. Min cost $828 on a 12 month BYO plan. Visit telstra.com/alvida
During this year’s TBDC, fans could also participate by sending an SMS for their favourite acts and had the opportunity to ask our celebrity Bollywood judges questions throughout the competition. Over 4,100 SMS votes were cast by fans and the winners on the day were: Adult—LAKS Dance Crew; Pre-Teen—C Walk; People’s Choice—Fusion Beats.
The Telstra Bollywood Dance Competition features dance performers wearing vibrant colours and traditional South Asian and Bollywood inspired costumes, captivating the audience. Competitors were judged on choreography, technique, costumes, music and props.
Watch the Telstra Bollywood Dance Competition 2018 here: https://www.facebook.com/IndianFilmFestivalOfMelbourne/videos/1961085707303970/
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