44th IFFI got underway with Grace ,Glitz; Mesmerizing Performances and presence of Galaxy of Stars

The 44th International Film Festival of India (IFFI-2013) got underway today in a colourful and star studded function at Panaji, Goa. The festival began unfolding with the lighting of the traditional lamp by Minister for Information and Broadcasting Manish Tewari; Governor of Goa, Bharat VirWanchoo ;Chief Minister of Goa, ManoharParrikar; Secretary Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, BimalJulka, the legendary singer, AshaBhonsle, noted Iranian film director, MajidMajidi, chief guest Susan Sarandon and the icon of Bollywood, WaheedaRehman. The classical performances included with both elusive magic and devotional currents. A jugalbandi featuringKathak doyen PanditBirjuMaharaj and sitar maestro UstadNishat Khan enchanted the audience. The galaxy of stars present on the occasion included PremChopra,NanaPatekar, Rekha, Jackie Shroff, Rani Mukherjee,ManojBajpai,HumaQureshi and Alia Bhatt.  Expressing her gratitude, Susan Sarandon said, ‘India has a rich history of film-making and is always eager to make films which broaden our horizon.’ The multi-dimensional film personality, Kamal Hassan said he owed his success as an artist to the fraternity of the world cinema. Describing her association with the world of cinema, AshaBhonsle acknowledged that seventy years in Indian film industry gave her immense love and affection. The actor who mesmerized many a generation with her sterling performance, WaheedaRehman received the first Centenary Award from the Manish Tewari ,and ManoharParrikar, the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award Jiri Menzel was accompanied to the dais by renowned film-maker Ramesh Sippy. He received the award from Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Chief Minister and Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Addressing the august gathering, Jiri Menzel said, ‘I feel proud to know that my films are well-accepted here in India’.  Earlier welcoming the participants, BimalJulka, Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said that cinema has been a part and parcel of Indian reality. To promote India as a film destination the Ministry has been taking efforts to put a single-window mechanism in place, he added. He said India is the only country that makes films in 39 languages and dialects.