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Far above the dazzle that set the mood for the evening’s fashion spectacular, giant strobe light beams constantly manned the skies. The security measure was understandable.

Late Thursday evening at the IIFA weekend in Colombo, style in the time of strife got a new meaning as a smattering of Bollywood glitterati sat down to relish the IIFA Fashion Rocks extravaganza along with Sri Lankan First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa.

The event started almost two hours late because of security reasons, but once it got rolling, a spellbound house at the Sirimavo Bandarnaike Convention Centre had little to complain.

In tandem with IIFA’s focus on environment consciousness over the years, the guests arrived on a green carpet.

Among non- Bollywood celebrities to arrive early was controversial minister Shashi Tharoor, who, perhaps on directives, simply refused to say anything, even on how he felt being at IIFA. Most Bollywood celebs were in a chatty mood. Salman Khan discussed his new- found love for Twitter, Sonakshi Sinha and Jaqueline Fernandes preened in excitement, on cue since this is their first IIFA. This year’s fashion show was more than just about fashion. Live performances and spoof shows were very much a part.

The audience erupted when Salman walked the ramp for his next, Dabangg . The act was introduced as a presentation ceremony for the film’s debutant heroine Sonakshi.

While Shatrughan Sinha’s daughter looked radiant in ethnic wear, the whole house actually came down when Salman joined her, dressed in basic black and sporting a false moustache.

Show hosts Vivek Oberoi and Dia Mirza could have done with some more spontaneity though. They made it obvious that they were reading out from a teleprompter.

The event also saw the Lamhaa cast rampwalking in costumes they would don in the film. Bipasha Basu, Kunal Kapoor and Anupam Kher did the job, but the whoops mostly came when Sanjay Dutt took to stage.

On the flipside, Zarine Khan’s first live performance — a medley tribute to Bollywood music down the decades — was a downer. Anil’s spoof chat show with Boman Irani, Riteish Deshmukh and Lara Dutta also seemed laboured.