The pan-Indian star joins the celebrations at the 27th IIFA Weekend & Awards, scheduled for January 22–23, 2027, at Etihad Arena, Yas Island.
Swati Bhat
Rashmika Mandanna is preparing to add another milestone to her career as she gears up for her first-ever performance at the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards. The actress will take the stage at the 27th edition of the prestigious celebration, scheduled to take place at Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, on January 22 and 23, 2027.
Having established herself across Kannada, Telugu and Hindi cinema, Rashmika's upcoming IIFA performance brings her screen popularity to an international live audience. The announcement adds another prominent name to an event that continues to celebrate Indian cinema beyond geographical and linguistic boundaries.
Rashmika Mandanna Expresses Excitement Ahead of IIFA Awards 2027
Sharing her enthusiasm about the upcoming performance, Rashmika said, "Performing on the IIFA Awards stage for the first time feels incredibly special, and I’m honestly so excited!" Describing IIFA as a celebration that brings Indian cinema and its admirers together across the world, the actress spoke about her personal connection with dance and the opportunity to entertain audiences on such a prominent platform. "I can’t wait to step onto the IIFA stage, share the energy and create beautiful memories together in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. I’m so grateful to be a part of this celebration and can’t wait to experience the magic of IIFA LIVE!" she added.
For Rashmika, whose filmography includes popular titles such as Pushpa: The Rise, Pushpa 2: The Rule and Animal, the appearance represents another opportunity to connect with audiences beyond the cinema screen.
IIFA 2027 Returns to Yas Island with a Star-Studded Celebration
The 27th IIFA Weekend & Awards will mark the event's fourth showcase in Abu Dhabi, reinforcing its continuing association with the emirate as an international destination for Indian entertainment. The two-day celebration will include the IIFA Digital Awards on January 22, followed by the main IIFA Awards ceremony on January 23. Rashmika joins a performance line-up that includes Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Shahid Kapoor, Janhvi Kapoor and Nora Fatehi, while Karan Johar and Varun Dhawan are among the announced hosts. The event is being organised in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism,Abu Dhabi and Miral.
Beyond its red-carpet appearances and live entertainment, IIFA has built its identity around introducing Indian cinema to international audiences. Rashmika's participation reflects the growing presence of performers whose careers span multiple Indian film industries rather than a single language market.
With preparations underway for the January celebration, her debut performance is set to be one of the anticipated additions to IIFA's expanding entertainment line-up.
