Bollywood had taken over Kuala Lumpur this weekend and nowhere was it more evident than at the Suria KLCC Mall on Saturday evening.

The high-end shopping complex –– next to the Petronas Towers –– hosted the biggest event so far of IIFA 2015: the star-studded premiere of Zoya Akhtar’s multi-starrer Dil Dhadakne Do, that opened in cinemas worldwide on Friday.

Even as the green carpet remained wrapped in plastic and finishing touches were being given to the theatre hosting the premiere, Bolly fans from India, Malaysia and beyond started lining up the floors of Suria KLCC Mall from the afternoon. As thousands waited patiently and eagerly for close to three hours, the stars started trickling in after 6pm.

Heropanti stunner Kriti Sanon to dancing star Lauren Gottlieb, director Anurag Kashyap to even yesteryear badman Gulshan Grover –– screams and shouts, whoops of delight to frenzied waving greeted the Bolly brigade. “I am a huge Bollywood fan and to see so many stars in my city all in a space of three days is overwhelming. I just can’t control myself,” Diana Arangtuan, one of the many screaming fans at the premiere, told t2.

There really was no controlling Diana and so many like her when the stars of Dil Dhadakne Do descended on the green carpet. Even as Anil Kapoor, Shefali Shah and Farhan Akhtar posed, Zoya Akhtar stole a selfie with Ehsaan Noorani, who along with Shankar Mahadevan and Loy Mendonsa, has scored the music for the film. The biggest screams were, however, reserved for the film’s leading ladies: Priyanka Chopra, stunning in a bejewelled pink gown, and Anushka Sharma, sharp and smart in all black.

“I am so glad that Dil Dhadakne Do is being appreciated for its message of gender equality and the right of the girl child as much as it is for its entertainment factor,” Priyanka told t2 in a media interaction just before the screening.

And that was precisely what Zoya’s –– unfazed by the lukewarm reviews that have come Dil Dhadakne Do’s way –– purpose was when making the film. “I just hope that the film moves the audience and makes them think deeply about relationships and family in the way they haven’t before,” said Zoya, who ditched her usual jeans for a little blingy number.
“Drama is my favourite genre and I always wanted to make a film on the brother-sister relationship because I feel, in our films, this bond is shown in a very cheesy way or is bogged down by rituals,” added Zoya who has reason to smile: the brother-sister equation between Ranveer Singh and Priyanka Chopra is being singled out for praise. unanimously.

Taking centre stage, predictably, was Anil Kapoor who plays patriarch Kamal Mehra. His flirtatious vibes with Shefali Shah –– who plays his wife in the film — brought the house down. “My heart thumps every time I see my wife –– both real and reel,” smiled the 58-year-old dad of three, winking at Shefali. Wonder what wife Sunita will have to say to that!
Farhan Akhtar, dapper in a bow tie, was the favourite of female fans, benefiting partly from the absence of Ranveer, who was busy rehearsing for his hosting duties at the main award event on Sunday. “We are happy that the film is being appreciated and that Zoya’s films are reaching out to a wider audience than ever before,” smiled Farhan.

For Anushka, who has a relatively smaller role in the film, doing Dil Dhadakne Do was a chance to play a character strong at heart and in intent. “I feel Zoya writes very strong women characters and what I liked best about my character Farah is that she knows what she wants and follows her dreams. All women should be like that.” Also present at the screening were Rahul Bose, who plays Priyanka’s chauvinistic husband in Dil Dhadakne Do, and producer Ritesh Sidhwani.

The highlight of the evening? Priyanka and Farhan singing the title track which they have lent their voices to even in the film. “I can never be a rockstar like Farhan, but I remember that it was while here in Malaysia that I first gave him a demo of my singing while we were shooting Don and he encouraged me to explore my voice further,” smiled Priyanka.

And finally the answer to the question that everyone’s been dying to ask: Why Aamir Khan as the voice of Pluto the family dog in Dil Dhadakne Do? “Mr Khan loved the film when he watched it and wanted to be a part of it. We figured this was the best and the most unique way. We are grateful for his support,” signed off a smiling Zoya.

Priyanka Roy in Kuala Lumpur