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Film fest controversy over Big B invite
by Gyanendra Kumar Keshri

     New Delhi: The 36th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) due to begin in Goa on November 24 is mired in political controversy even before its commencement. The controversy has arisen following the Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry's alleged directive to Goa government to cancel the invitation extended to Amitabh Bachchan to inaugurate the festival. "It is disrespect to the legendary actor to first invite and then withdraw the invitation just to please some individual (read Sonia Gandhi)," said Praveen Khandelwal, General Secretary, Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT). He said that the Council would launch a countrywide protest against the government's decision to cancel the invitation extended to Amitabh Bachchan. "It will give birth to a new trend, in which political parties will use such non-political organisations for their political gain," said Khandelwal. He claimed that some political parties have also extended their support and they may together begin the protest from the next week if government does not reconsider its stand on the issue.

    Goa Chief Minister Pratapsinh Rane had invited superstar Amitabh Bachchan to inaugurate this year's IFFI in the state. The invitation is now learnt to have been withdrawn under pressure by the Union Information and Broadcasting Minister S Jaipal Reddy. According to sources the State government have been asked not to project Amitabh Bachchan since he is associated with Samajwadi Party and also don't have good relations with Congress President Sonia Gandhi. It is learnt that the government has decided to invite Shahrukh Khan and Sanjay Dutt for the inauguration of the festival. Rane is now in an embarrassing situation since it was he who had personally persuaded Amitabh Bachchan to inaugurate the festival. The film festival is aimed to showcase a selection of the best of global and Indian cinema and bring together film industry professionals, film students, film marketing professionals, the media and the general public.