DONA PAULA: Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan opened the 48th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2017 on Monday, in the presence of a host of film personalities, politicians, government officials and others.
For the first time, IFFI will present four films from young filmmakers of the Biennale College as a first of its kind collaboration with the Venice International Film Festival.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said that the 50th edition of the festival in 2019 will be held in a completely new facility specially meant for it.
“In 2019, which will be the 50th edition of the international Film Festival of India, as the festival completes 50 years, we have decided to have it at a permanent venue with all inbuilt multiplexes. Everything is planned and will be set up about one and half kilometres from this place (Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium). A special place is planned to welcome more than 6000 delegates,” Parrikar said.
“I would like to apologise in advance in case of any inconvenience caused to them because of more than the expected response. The festival will screen 195 films from across 82 countries and over 64 Indian premiers,” he said.
He further said that when festival fist came to Goa, not many people knew about it but that Goa has contributed a lot to the film and music industry.
“The native Goans who had left the State and who are in a good position in the film industry now want to settle again in Goa and I welcome them. With the film festival we started a good film culture,” he said.
In his opening remarks, Khan, who was the Chief Guest, said stories and movies connected people. “There is a word in Sanskrit, Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, which means bringing the world together like a family. I believe no matter what your language, no matter what country your story comes from and no matter what ideologies, storytelling and listening should be a familial experience,” Khan said.
The opening of the festival was attended by a record number of Bollywood artistes this year. Apart from Khan, Bollywood stars such as Shahid Kapoor, Nana Patekar, Anupam Kher, Rajkummar Rao, Radhika Apte, Diana Penty, Sridevi, Boney Kapoor, Jhanvi Kapoor, Vishal Bhardwaj, A R Rahman, Ishaan Khattar and Malavika Mohan were present.
The movie screenings opened with the much-talked about feature, “Beyond the Clouds” from acclaimed filmmaker Majid Majidi.
