The Union Minister for Urban Development, Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation and Information & Broadcasting, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu lighting the lamp at the inauguration of the 47th International Film Festival of India (IFFI-2016), in Panaji, Goa on Sunday. The Governor of Goa, Smt. Mridula Sinha, the Union Minister for Defence, Shri Manohar Parrikar, the Chief Minister of Goa, Shri Laxmikant Parsekar, the Minister of State for AYUSH (Independent Charge), Shri Shripad Yesso Naik, the Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Shri Ajay Mittal and other dignitaries are also seen.Panaji: Cinema is the religion of religions which surpasses all borders, Union minister for information & broadcasting Venkaiah Naidu said Sunday at the inauguration of the 47th edition of International Film Festival of India (IFFI) at Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee indoor stadium at Talegao on the outskirts of Panaji, the Goa capital.
Usual religions have set up some borders either in terms of birth or adoption, but cinema is a religion without boundaries, Naidu said.
"Karl Marx said religion is the opium of masses. I say cinema is the opium of the masses," Naidu said. He hailed the production of over 2,000 films in India every year as 'stunning' expression of creativity.
The 47th edition of International Film Festival of India (IFFI) begins at Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee indoor stadium at Talegao, Panaji, Goa. Photo: OnmanormaStressing that cinema as a medium needs to be an instrument of social change, Naidu said films need to have a larger social responsibility. Naidu went through the history of Indian cinema to narrate how films portrayed social evils and paved way for social changes.
However, he criticized the formulaic trends of contemporary cinemas, saying content is often becoming a casualty. He added reason and reality test has to be appropriated by cinemas.
Naidu inaugurated the event in the presence of veteran filmmaker Ramesh Sippy and other guests representing various realms. Apart from Naidu, the ceremonial lamp was lit by Mridula Sinha, governor of Goa, defense minister Manohar Parrikar, Goa CM Laxmikant Parsekar, actor Sushant Singh Rajput among others.
Ahead of the start of the colorful event, Naidu mourned the deaths of over 100 passengers in the derailment of the Patna-Indore Express, near Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh in the wee hours of Sunday.
The minister called the mishap a “really sad incident” and asked the audience to observe a minute’s silence when the inauguration ceremony was about to start.
“A sad incident has happened. A major railway accident has taken place in UP. More than 100 citizens have lost their precious lives… Om Shanti Shanti Shanti,” Naidu said.
The event was filled with dance performances and montages that marked how India cinema celebrated the power of women over the years.
Dancers perform at the 47th edition of IFFI in Panaji, GoaIncidentally, Naidu announced Olympian shuttler P.V. Sindhu's victory at Chinese super series badminton and asked the audience to accord her a standing ovation.
Ivan Parsa, the chairman of international competition at the festival, and his panelists were honored at the event.
Veteran choreographer Ganesh Acharya was honored by Bollywood actor Nana Patekar.
Cho Hyun, ambassador to the Republic of Korea, addressed the event. He said he looked forward to some joint production by India and his country. Eminent Korean director Im Kwon Taek was honored by the dignitaries at the event. South Korea is the country in focus of the festival.
The centenary film personality award being given away to legendary singer SP Balasubrahmaniam. The centenary film personality award was given away to legendary singer SP Balasubrahmaniam. The veteran singer said it was a 'dream come true moment' for him to be honored at the event.
The six-time national award winner and Padmabhushan awardee dedicated the award to all martyrs at the Indian borders.
He sang a portion from Vande Mataram arousing a nationalist fervor among the audience who stood up listening to him. A montage on SPB's musical journey was also presented at the event.
Actors Suhasini Manirathnam and Surveen Chawla anchored the event.
