PANJIM, NOV 10
Indian film industry’s legendary figure Yash Chopra along with Bollywood star Ajay Devgan is likely to inaugurate the 41st International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2010, scheduled to get underway from November 23, at Panjim.
Union Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee will also be present for the inaugural on November 23 along with Goa Governor Dr S S Sidhu and Chief Minister Digambar Kamat.
Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) meeting which was held on Wednesday under Chairmanship of Chief Minister Digambar Kamat discussed plan for the inaugural function, which will be held at Kala Academy.
This time, Margao’s Ravindra Bhavan too is added as a festival venue where films would be screened.
After the meeting, Kamat said that he has been reviewing the IFFI preparedness on a daily basis. Organising Committee chairman Ranjana Salgaonkar was also present for the meeting.
Sources stated that after Hyderabad-based company withdrew their claim to become the festival channel, Goa’s Prudent Media, which was selected as official channel for IFFI 2009, has been given the responsibility.
During the meeting, it was decided to book rooms at Taj Hotels for the delegates. Vivanta, in Panjim and Taj Aguada will house the delegates and VIPs during IFFI.
Sources stated that Cidade de Goa, which was supposed to be the festival hotel, has withdrawn itself.
IFFI, which would be held in Goa from November 23 to December 3, is expecting thousands of delegates to attend the ten-day long festival.
T-20 of Indian Cinema has already been dropped from the festival while short film centre (SFC) will be held.
Sources said that the selection for the films in competition section is going on in Delhi while DFF has already released list of films for Indian Panorama.
