BOLLYWOOD BEATS AND HIP SHAKING MOVES TAKE OVER MELBOURNE FOR ICONIC TELSTRA BOLLYWOOD DANCE COMPETITION 2019

• Telstra supports the iconic event for the 7th year at Melbourne’s Federation Square
• Winning dance acts Folk Lovers Academy, Bollydance Epping Group, Dance Masala and Jollity Bollywood captivatedcelebrity judges with their seamless performances.
• “People away from their mainland, take this more seriously and it shows.” said celebrity judge Gayathrie Shankar.

Australia’s most loved Bollywood event, the7^th Annual Telstra Bollywood Dance Competition (TBDC), part of Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM),drewthousands to Melbourne’s iconic Federation Square on Saturday, 10August 2019 with returning judge Bollywood superstar Malaika Arora, joined by Bollywood celebrities to judge all the Bollywood dancing action from 32 dance groups.

The Telstra Bollywood Dance Competition immediately followed the Indian Independence Day Flag Hoisting Ceremony, with Karan Johar, who is one of Bollywood’s most acclaimed film director, producer, screenwriter hoisting the flag in front of thousands.

Winning acts Folk Lovers Academy, Bollydance Epping Group, Dance Masala and Jollity Bollywoodbowled over the celebrity judges with their seamless dance performances, on stage charisma, and crowd engagement and each won a $1,000 prize courtesy of Telstra.

Timothy Evans, Retail Sales and Service Executive, Telstra said, “Telstra is incredibly honoured and proud to partner with Indian Film Festival of Melbourne to present the Telstra Bollywood Dance Competition 2019 for the seventh year. We love to connect the South Asian diaspora with the celebrities they loveforthis iconic and much-anticipated Bollywood event. Every year the performers amaze us with their energy and enthusiasm.”

“AsTelstra Bollywood Dance Competition fans presented the next generation of talent and dance moves, Telstra is proud to be building Australia’s first 5G – the next generation in mobile technology.”

“5G combines with 4G technology to provide customers the best possible speeds and coverage wherever they are. Our 5G is built upon the firm foundation of our superfast and extensive 4GX coverage which is why Telstra has Australia’s largest, fastest and reliable mobile network.”

(For information about Telstra 5G, visit https://www.telstra.com.au/5g )

This year, TBDC fans voted by SMS for their favourite acts. Over 17,000 SMS votes were cast by fans and the winners on the day were:

• Group – Pre-teens (Ages 1-12) – Folk Lovers Academy
• Group – Teens (Ages 13-19) -Bollydance Epping Group
• Group – Adult (Ages 20+) -Dance Masala
• Telstra’s People Choice Award – Jollity Bollywood

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.