Coronavirus: Bollywood 'Oscars' ceremony called off over virus fears

Ranveer Singh’s Gully Boy leads the nominations this year

Deepika Padukone attends the 17th IIFA Awards in 2016 (Getty Images)

The International Indian Film Academy Awards, known as Bollywood’s Oscars, has been called off just weeks before it was due to begin amid fears of a coronavirus outbreak.

“With due regard to the growing concerns around the spread of COVID-19 virus and keeping the health and safety of IIFA’s fans and the general community at large, after consulting the Madhya Pradesh Government, the IIFA management and stakeholders from the film industry, it has been decided to postpone to later date the much-awaited weekend and awards 2020 celebrations,” said IIFA organisers in a statement on 6 March.

The ceremony was scheduled to be held in Madhya Pradesh at the end of March, with Ranveer Singh’s Gully Boy leading the nominations this year.

“A fresh date and plans for hosting IIFA in Madhya Pradesh will be announced at the earliest,” IIFA organisers stated.

The ceremony is the latest in a string of events to be cancelled or postponed amid coronavirus fears.

From tour dates to TV productions, and the release of new Bond film No Time to Die, read the full list of everything that’s been called off here.