South Indian cinema’s superstar Rajinikanth was bestowed with the Centenary Award for Indian Film Personality of the Year at the opening ceremony of the 45th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) here on Thursday evening.
Union Minister Arun Jaitley and Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan, who was the chief guest, presented the award, which consists of a cash prize of Rs.10 lakhs, a certificate and the Silver Peacock Medal. It was instituted last year to commemorate 100 years of Indian Cinema.
Gets emotionalA visibly moved Mr. Rajinikanth was seen wiping his tears as he thanked the Centre for the honour. He dedicated it to all his film producers, directors, technicians and fans.
Earlier, Goa Governor Mridula Sinha lit the traditional lamp to formally open the 11-day festival. Several film personalities and dignitaries, among them Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar and State Information and Broadcasting Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore, were present.
Mr. Bachchan spoke about the history and evolution of Indian cinema and the iconic films in different periods.
Mr. Jaitley said the Indian film industry had come of age and pointed to the diversity it offered and the number of films produced in different languages to back this claim. “Cinema today acts as an alternative religion, as it entertains, educates and gives a social perspective to issues,” he said. His Ministry was making efforts to mainstream the National Film Heritage Mission as a policy initiative to ensure digital preservation of records. Mr. Jaitley also highlighted the importance of Goa being made the permanent venue of the IFFI in the context of its hospitality, growth, natural beauty and cultural diversity it represented.
Jury felicitatedMr. Parrikar said all efforts would be made to host the next edition of IFFI at its permanent venue in Goa.
The International Jury for the festival, including the Chairman, Slawomir Idziak, noted film maker from Poland, eminent Chinese film director Zhang Jianya, renownedSwiss film maker and Head of International Locarno Film Festival Nadia Dresti, noted American film critic Marie Brenner, and Seema Biswas of India, was felicitated by Mr. Jaitley.
Acclaimed actor and dancer Shobana and her group presented a captivating dance performance.
The opening ceremony followed, with the screening of The President directed by eminent Iranian film maker Mohsen Makhmalbaf.
The 11-day festival will screen 178 films from 79 countries across different categories.
