Panaji: Light and shade jostled for space as the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) opened on Monday amid much fanfare and in the presence of Bollywood's best such as Shah Rukh Khan, but with the controversy over "Padmavati" casting a shadow on the festivities.
The opening ceremony, held at Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium, turned out to be a star-studded affair with SRK, Shahid Kapoor, Sridevi, AR Rahman, Anupam Kher, Nitesh Tiwari, Prasoon Joshi, Rajkummar Rao and Radhika Apte in attendance.
"It is our endeavour on behalf of the government of India and the government of Goa that we invite filmmakers from across the world to this land of stories," Union minister for Information and Broadcasting Smriti Irani said in her address.
Glimpses of the 48th edition of International Film Festival of India. Grateful thanks to the entire film industry for their support to #IFFI2017. pic.twitter.com/z2dZWD3q5w
— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) November 20, 2017
Thank you @iamsrk for your gracious presence at @IFFIGoa and giving such an elegant opening to #IFFI2017. pic.twitter.com/8G3hjDRbuj
— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) November 20, 2017
Grateful to @SrideviBKapoor for being part of #IFFI2017 and charming the audience with her grace. pic.twitter.com/ThxJLHIQfF
— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) November 20, 2017
It is our privilege to have Majid Majidi’s first Indian film ‘Beyond the Clouds’ open at #IFFI2017. pic.twitter.com/9WontgQiWU
— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) November 20, 2017
Thankful to @shahidkapoor for sharing his vision on the future of Cinema at #IFFI2017. pic.twitter.com/k5S368vxjE
— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) November 20, 2017
Performances ‘Drums of India’ and ‘Utsav’ depicted India’s culture and colours magnificently! pic.twitter.com/AAO94j6Kys
— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) November 20, 2017
The ceremony opened with an energetic dance performance towards the end of which Shah Rukh made an entry on stage and struck his signature open arm pose.
In his opening remarks, the 52-year-old actor said stories and films brought people together.
"There is a word in Sanskrit - Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. It means bringing the world together like a family. I believe no matter what your language, no matter what country your story comes from and no matter what ideologies, storytelling and listening should be a familial experience," he said.
Iranian director Majidi's film 'Beyond the Clouds' inaugurated the film festival. Starring Ishaan Khatter and Malavika Mohanan in lead roles, the film is based on life in Mumbai.
(With PTI inputs)
