The Golden Jubilee year and 50th edition of the International Film Festival of India will begin in Goa today on the golden shores of Goa on Wednesday at Dr. Shyama Prasad Stadium. The week-long festival aims at providing a platform to filmmakers from across the globe to showcase their work while promoting art and cultural exchange.
Actors Amitabh Bachchan and Rajinikanth will inaugurate the ceremony.
Here are all the updates from the ceremony:
6:09 PM: Amitabh Bachchan honoured by Rajinikanth
Amitabh Bachchan was honoured with an award by his friend and actor Rajinikanth. The actor thanked him and the organisers for the award.
5:20 PM: French actor Isabelle Huppert gets Lifetime Achievement Award
IFFI Lifetime Achievement Award, the festival’s highest honour was presented to French actor Isabelle Huppert.
4:53 PM: I&B minister Prakash Javdekar addresses audience
I&B ministry called films India’s soft power. He said that to shoot films in India, producers can now use a ‘single window’ to book domestic locations.
4:34 PM: Singer Shankar Mahadevan performs at ceremony
Singer and music composer Shankar Mahadevan and many other musicians performed fusion music at the festival.
4:18 PM: Karan Johar introduces opening film ‘Despite The Fog’
Italian Film Despite the Fog, directed by Goran Paskaljevic, was introduced. A small video from the film was also shown to the audience. The film will open the festival.
3:45 PM: Amitabh, Rajinikanth inaugurate festival by lighting the lamp
Actors Amitabh Bachchan and Rajnikanth with others lit up the ceremonial lamp to mark the festival’s inauguration.
3:32 PM: Late Goa CM Manohar Parrikar remembered in special video
Late Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar was remembered in a special video dedicated to his life and his work.
3:10 PM: Amitabh calls the festival a ‘great honour’
Talking about the festival, Amitabh said coming back to Goa was a nostalgic experience for him. “I shot my first film in Goa so coming back to Goa has always been nostalgic,” he said. “Films have always been an integral part of our life and to have a festival of this magnitude helps the people of Goa to be exposed to what happens in the international world. And also gives us an opportunity to meet and mix with people. It’s a great honour and I am happy to be here,” he added.
2:55 PM: Amitabh Bachchan arrives in Goa
Amitabh Bachchan who is set to inaugurate the prestigious award ceremony arrives at the festival.