IFFI 2019 opening ceremony highlights: Rajinikanth honours Amitabh Bachchan with award
The International Film Festival of India (IFFI), one of Asia’s oldest festivals, saw a grand opening on the golden shores of Goa on Wednesday at Dr. Shyama Prasad Stadium. Actors Amitabh Bachchan and Rajinikanth inaugurated the ceremony.Here are all the updates from the ceremony:
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. “Very grateful to all my film colleagues, above all, I am grateful to you, my janta, who have been with me in highs and lows. I am highly indebted to you, I would never want to relive myself of this debt,” he said.
17:28:00 PM ISTTwo greats in one frame.
— PIB in Goa (@PIB_Panaji) November 20, 2019
"It is incredible that we have with us @rajinikanth, who has been inspiring us every day"
- @SrBachchan at #IFFIGoldenJubilee opening#IFFI50 #IFFI2019 pic.twitter.com/45Ckh202i2
Rajinikanth gets the Special Icon Award
Actor Rajinikanth was conferred with the Special Icon Award on the occasion of IFFI Golden Jubilee. “I would like to dedicate this award to my producers, directors and all technicians who worked in my films and above all to my fans,” he said.
17:05:00 PM ISTLegendary Actor @rajinikanth conferred with special Icon Award on the occasion of #IFFIGoldenJubilee
— PIB India (@PIB_India) November 20, 2019
I would like to dedicate this award to my producers, directors and all technicians who worked in my films & above all to my fans: @rajinikanth#PrideIconOfIndiaRAJINIKANTH pic.twitter.com/kgbNpbVG7A
Isabelle Huppert gets lifetime achievement award
IFFI Lifetime Achievement Award, the festival’s highest honour, was presented to French actor Isabelle Huppert. “Thank you all for being cinema lovers, so happy to be here for IFFI Golden Jubilee,” she said.
16:41:00 PM IST#IFFI50 Live
— IFFI 2019 (@IFFIGoa) November 20, 2019
IFFI Lifetime Achievement Award, the festival’s highest honour presented to #IsabelleHuppert
Huppert has appeared in more than 120 films and is the most nominated actress for the César Award, with 16 nominations, and has won it twice. pic.twitter.com/wzOSxIQH3g
Prakash Javadekar addresses audience
The I&B minister 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. “India has beautiful places to shoot but it was difficult to get all permissions. Now a single portal has been created to make the process easier,” he said.
16:20:00 PM ISTShankar Mahadevan performs at ceremony
Singer and music composer Shankar Mahadevan and many other musicians performed fusion music at the festival.
16:06:00 PM IST#IFFI50 LIVE
— IFFI 2019 (@IFFIGoa) November 20, 2019
The amazing @Shankar_Live along with 'The Godfather Of Indian Jazz' Louis Banks, deliver a staggering performance at the #IFFI2019 Inaugural Ceremony. pic.twitter.com/ElpY8j3F95
Goran Paskaljevic requests audience to watch his film
Despite The Fog director Goran Paskaljevic addressed the audience as he took the stage with his cast and other members of the production crew. He requested the audience to watch his film.
16:02:00 PM ISTKaran Johar introduces 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.
15:40:00 PM ISTAmitabh, Rajinikanth light the lamp
Actors Amitabh Bachchan and Rajnikanth with others lit up the ceremonial lamp to mark the festival’s inauguration.
15:26:00 PM ISTGoa: Union Minister Prakash Javadekar, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and actors Amitabh Bachchan, Rajinikanth, present at the inauguration of 50th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Panaji. pic.twitter.com/wYQzBGkRtR
— ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2019
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.
15:20:00 PM ISTKaran Johar hosts the ceremony
Filmmaker Karan Johar is the host for the inauguration ceremony. He gave a short introduction to Indian cinema at the festival to the audience.
15:15:00 PM ISTIFFI 2019 opens with a montage of film
A colourful montage of films from India and around the world was shown as the festival was launched in Goa.
15:02:00 PM ISTIsabelle Huppert says ‘go to see films!’
French actor Isabelle Huppert will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at IFFI this year. She said she hopes it is a ‘Halfway lifetime achievement award’. She added that there isn’t one particular moment from her career that stands out for her. “Not one moment,” she said. She said to those watching here, “Go to see films! I love to see films. They are a part of my life.”
14:58:00 PM ISTBabul Supriyo says music brought him to politics
Singer and politician Babul Supriyo called it a great feeling to be a part of IFFI. He also said that wearing a tuxedo in Goa’s heat is taxing.
14:51:00 PM ISTAmitabh 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.
14:49:00 PM ISTThis is not the first time that I am being here and I am really honoured to be. Films have always been an integral part of our social life and to have a festival of this magnitude gives us an opportunity to meet and mix with people: @SrBachchan at #IFFIopeningCeremony #IFFI2019 pic.twitter.com/chAhWegCk9
— PIB India (@PIB_India) November 20, 2019
Amitabh Bachchan arrives at venue
Actor Amitabh Bachchan has arrived in Goa and at the IFFI venue. He was seen in a sharp black suit, talking to various dignitaries.
14:42:00 PM ISTThe Evergreen Actor @SrBachchan fondly known as the 'Shahenshah' of Indian Cinema has reached Goa and will be next seen on the Grand Red Carpet of #IFFI2019 very soon.
— IFFI 2019 (@IFFIGoa) November 20, 2019
Stay tuned to #IFFI50 to catch the live updates from the Inaugural Ceremony, starting shortly. pic.twitter.com/hwQXU4edQw
IFFI red carpet kicks off
Information and broadcasting minister Prakash Javadekar said at the red carpet event that IFFI is ‘India’s soft power’. He added that the festival will be a grand success.
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