June 3rd 2026, New York, USA — The Advisory Council of the Amara Awards announced today that the highly anticipated AMARA Hall of Fame Awards, originally scheduled for September 6, 2026, at David Geffen Hall, Lincoln Center, New York, will be postponed.
The decision was made following extensive consultations with key stakeholders, in light of rapidly evolving international developments and growing uncertainty surrounding global travel and logistics.
A key factor behind the postponement was Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent public appeal advising Indians to avoid non-essential overseas travel during this sensitive period in India’s national and economic interest. Mr. Sharad Wala, VP Communications, stated that “Amara, as a global platform rooted in the international Indian community, respects this appeal and recognizes the uncertainty it has created among several Indian personalities, business leaders, sponsors, and participants associated with the event.”
Ongoing geopolitical tensions, particularly in the Middle East, along with airline disruptions, economic volatility, visa and logistics challenges, and broader global uncertainty, made it increasingly difficult to deliver the intended world-class international experience.
The new date will be confirmed at the appropriate time.
Eighteen world-class visionaries, diplomats, artists, and industry pioneers lend their prestige and expertise to the most ambitious Indian-American awards platform in history.
EVENT DATE: Sunday, September 6, 2026 VENUE: David Geffen Hall, Lincoln Center, NYC RELEASE: April 2026
NEW YORK, NY — The AMARA Hall of Fame Awards (AHOFA), set to make its historic world premiere on Sunday, September 6, 2026, at the iconic David Geffen Hall, Lincoln Center, New York City — today proudly announces the formation of its prestigious Advisory Council. Composed of eighteen accomplished, real-world visionaries recognized for proven excellence and the power to create significant global impact, the AHOFA Advisory Council is a uniquely credible and powerful guiding force for this landmark platform.
“The AMARA Hall of Fame Awards is far more than an event — it is the birth of a global institution. For the first time, we are bringing together icons, leaders, and visionaries from across the world on one stage in a way that has never been done before.”
Kamal Dandona Founder & Chairman AMARA Hall of Fame Awards
— KAMAL DANDONA, FOUNDER & CHAIRMAN, AMARA HALL OF FAME AWARDS
A Council of Extraordinary Global Achievers
The eighteen members of the AHOFA Advisory Council represent a constellation of global achievement that spans six continents and every major field of human endeavor. Their collective influence encompasses Indian cinema, theatre, music, visual art, diplomacy, finance, wellness, architecture, law, and entertainment — making this Advisory Council one of the most diverse and distinguished bodies ever assembled for a cultural awards platform.
Among the council’s distinguished members are Aroon Shivdasani, Founder of the Indo-American Arts Council and Emmy Awards Juror; Kirron Kher, the celebrated actress, theatre icon, and civic leader admired across Indian cinema and public life; and Rohan Marley, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and son of the legendary Bob Marley, whose presence signals the event’s global cultural reach far beyond the Indian diaspora.
The council further includes Falguni Shah, Grammy Award winner and four-time Grammy nominee who has performed at the White House, Lincoln Center, and Carnegie Hall; Gautam Patwa, IIT Bombay and NYU Stern-trained global financial advisor and wealth strategist trusted by clients across continents; Rajan Pillai, Esq., Harvard Law valedictorian, Nobel Prize-linked rare earths pioneer, and IPO specialist; and Ambassador Dr. Palitha Kohona, Cambridge doctorate holder, Sri Lanka’s former Ambassador to the UN and China, and a distinguished international legal expert.
Visual art and architecture are represented by Natvar Bhavsar, whose work has been showcased at the Guggenheim, Museum of Modern Art, Whitney, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art; and Neeta Sinha, the world’s first Astro Architect, trusted by Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Virat Kohli, and many more. The entertainment industry is further represented by Shubir Mukerji, Chairman of Filmalaya Studios and heir to Bollywood’s most legendary dynasty, and Nick Rajsakha, Producer and CEO of EEG Talent, who drives cross-cultural collaborations and leads hospitality ventures across North America.
Jason Goldstein, Grammy-winning audio engineer behind chart-topping recordings for Beyoncé, David Bowie, and Jennifer Lopez, brings the world of music production to the council alongside Raj Shahani, celebrated sculptor whose work blends Indian cultural motifs with contemporary expression at global art centres including the Jehangir Art Gallery, New York. Neha Lohia, award-winning filmmaker, VR director, and former AVP at 20th Century Fox and Sony Pictures, and Rita K. Mehta, Dubai’s influential voice behind luxury, celebrity, and global influence as founder of the iconic Ciné Blitz magazine, further expand the council’s global reach.
A Historic Debut at Lincoln Center, New York
The AMARA Hall of Fame Awards makes its world premiere on Sunday, September 6, 2026, at the iconic David Geffen Hall, Lincoln Center, New York City — marking the first time in history that an Indian and Indo-U.S.-centric awards platform of this scale and stature will be presented at such a prestigious venue. Further announcements covering attending icons, performers, sponsors, and honorees will follow in subsequent press releases. Media accreditation requests and sponsorship inquiries are now being accepted at info@ahofa.com.
About the AMARA Hall of Fame Awards
The AMARA Hall of Fame Awards (AHOFA) is a prestigious celebration dedicated to honoring the achievements and contributions of the global Indian diaspora (NRIs) as well as international leaders with strong ties to India and its worldwide community. From the creators of globally acclaimed international award platforms that have celebrated icons across film, music, and fashion, AHOFA represents decades of proven excellence in world-class global event production.
A landmark moment in global entertainment, culture and achievement is set to unfold as the AMARA Hall of Fame Awards makes its debut at the iconic David Geffen Hall, Lincoln Center ON Sunday, September 6th 2026—marking the first time in history that an Indian/ Indo-U.S.- centric awards platform of this scale, and stature will be presented.
Positioned as one of the most ambitious and prestigious global awards ever created, the AMARA Hall of Fame Awards is designed to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of Global Indian Icons and International visionaries: bringing together the crème de la crème and the true “Who’s Who” across a variety of genres—under one roof.
This unprecedented platform will honor excellence across a powerful and diverse spectrum of categories including: The awards will celebrate excellence across:
Cinema • Music • Fashion • Business • Technology • Sports • Comedy • Media • Literature
Medicine Culinary Arts • Philanthropy & Social Impact.
The event promises an unparalleled evening of grandeur, influence and cultural significance, featuring spectacular world-class Bollywood and Hollywood performances, cutting-edge production and an atmosphere and ambiance that rivals the most celebrated global award shows.
With a multi-million strong global audience across television, digital and social platforms this event is expected to attract an elite gathering of global leaders, CEOs, founders, celebrities, investors and cultural icons: reinforcing its position as a premier international convergence of influence and excellence. An unprecedented gathering of 50 global icons under one roof—never done before—imagine the privilege of being part of such a rare and extraordinary moment.
Mr. Kamal Dandona, Chairman of the AMARA Hall of Fame Awards, stated:
“The AMARA Hall of Fame Awards is far more than an event—it is the birth of a global institution. For the first time, we are bringing together icons, leaders, and visionaries from across the world on one stage in a way that has never been done before”
The AMARA Hall of Fame Awards is expected to become a Flagship Global Institution, celebrating excellence while strengthening the cultural and professional bridge between India, the United States and the rest of the world.
This event is produced by the same creators of some of the most successful international award’s events held prior to AMARA, which brought together global superstars such as Shah Rukh Khan, Michael Jackson, Amitabh Bachchan, Richard Gere, Salman Khan, Aishwarya Rai, Sharon Stone, among many others. We have a proven legacy of delivering world-class, star-studded global events spanning several decades.
This is truly a one-of-a-kind concept: bringing together global icons on one stage, something we’ve never seen before!
Follow the AMARA Hall of Fame Awards on Instagram and Facebook and visit www.ahofa.com for the latest updates.
This is just the beginning—many more global icons, stars, and performers will be announced as the journey unfolds.
