Panaji: Union Minister Anurag Thakur inaugurated the 53rd International Film Festival of India at the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium in a star-studded ceremony. Even though half of the 7,000 delegates are Malayalam, Malayalam cinema has nothing to celebrate. There are no Malayalam films in the competition category. Two story films Mahesh Narayanan’s Annoit and Tarun Murthy’s Saudi Vellayka are in the Indian panorama. Dharbari Kyuruvi directed by Priyanandanan in Irula language is also in the panorama. The non-fiction category includes Akhil Dev’s Home and Vinod Mankara’s Sanskrit film Yanam.
Chiranjeevi’s personality
of the year award
Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi has won the Indian Film Personality of the Year Award given as part of the film festival. Union Minister Anurag Thakur announced the award at the inauguration. Amitabh Bachchan and Rajinikanth have received this award in previous years. Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award Famous Spanish director
Daughter Anna Saura took over for Carlos Soura. Governor of Goa Adv.PS Sreedharan Pillai and Chief Minister of Goa Pramod Sawant were also present.
Austrian film Alma and Oscar was screened as the opening film. The fair will end on 28th.