36th International Film Festival begins in Goa
by Devraj

     Panaji (Goa): The 36th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) got off to a glittering start in India's picturesque tourist resort of Goa on Thursday evening. Union Minister for Culture S Jaipal Reddy inaugurated the festival by lighting a traditional lamp in the presence of veteran Bollywood star Dev Anand and chief guest and South Indian superstar Chiranjeevi. Goa Chief Minister Pratap Sinh Rane and Bollywood actress Bipasha Basu were among the other luminaries who were present at the inauguration of the film featival. Over 200 films would be screened during the 10-day festival being held in an open area on the banks of the Mandovi River.

    Speaking on the occasion, Telugu cine star Chiranjeevi said that the international film festival of India provided filmmakers a platform and inspires artists to reach new heights. "It is here that passion for cinema is born, it is here that the first talent is noticed and great work applauded. It is platforms like this that gives us an inspiration to match our talent with the greats of cinema and inspires us to a different level of create to communication in filmmaking. With this interaction we will make better films and the best films," he said. The gala event promised to be full of extravaganza packed with premieres, concerts and sneak previews of new as well as popular films will open with a Brazilian entry 'Olga', directed by Jayme Monjardim based on Fernando Morais bestseller of the same name. "The Rising" an English version of "Mangal Pandey", a historical directed by Ketan Mehta and starring Bollywoods blue-eyed star Amir Khan will also be premiered on the first day of the festival. The festival boasts of seven main parts, including the Asian competition section, an Indian mainstream and retrospective portion and films from across the world. IFFI usually comprises six segments -- the cinema of the world, retrospectives, tributes, focus, Indian Panorama and mainstream Indian cinema. A prominent feature of the festival is the competition section, which will include 16 entries from Asian, African and Latin American countries.

    Earlier in the day, a traditional parade was taken out on the streets of state capital Panaji, where various cultural groups, donned in bright colours, depicted the life and culture of the state. Lyndon, a local, praised the parade for promoting the true culture of Goa. "Yeah, it is very nice, it has been organised beautifully displaying the true culture of Goa," said Lyndon. Planes flown by the Indian Naval formation aerobatics team also wooed the onlookers as they looped, twirled and dived leaving colourful streams of smoke in the air as part of the opening parade. This is the second time the festival is being held in Goa, after it was decided as the permanent venue. Goa, touted as India's answer to the Cannes, is sporting a new look with a lot of infrastructure development done for special screening of the films. The special attraction is the Beach screening for the first time in any film festival. Along with that, special care is taken to promote the art, culture and food of Goa. With its pristine beaches and swaying coconut palms, the former Portuguese colony is a favourite haunt of tourists from around the world. This was the main reason behind Goa being chosen the permanent venue for the film festival. Since 1952, India has hosted 35 International Film Festivals, both competitive and non-competitive.