Vancouver may once again host the Times of India Film Awards for the second time ever, according to B.C. Premier Christy Clark, but critics say the move is simply a way to garner votes leading up to an election.

Organizers of TOIFA put on the lavish Bollywood show in Vancouver for the first time in 2013, leading up to a provincial election that the B.C. Liberals went on to win. The red carpet show took place at BC Place and cost taxpayers $11 million.

"It was 11 million bucks for a photo op for the premier, a party for the premier, right before an election," said B.C. NDP MLA Spencer Chandra Herbert.

The NDP's art and culture critic says an occasional award show is not the best way to spend $11 million.

"I think it would be much better to have consistent advocacy within India, to both bring their film community here, to increase tourism," he said.

"I rather the $11 million be spent in ways that could do that each and every year, not just a one off before an election."

Cultural ties

Shah Rukh Khan took some time to meet and greet fans on his way down the red carpet toward BC Place at the 2013 TOIFA. (CBC)

Clark says that 2013 event was important in building B.C.'s relationship with India.

Many in Vancouver's large South Asia community were elated about the movie award show coming to town three years ago, saying it boosted the Canadian city's presence in India.

Clark says while the province is considering a proposal from the Times of India to host the show in Vancouver, it has not decided anything yet.

"No decision has been made on it yet, but TOIFA was a tremendous success in B.C." said Clark.