The 54th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) commenced with grandeur in Goa, inaugurated by Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur.
The opening ceremony, hosted by Karishma Tanna and Aparshakti Khurana, boasted a star-studded lineup featuring luminaries like Sunny Deol, Madhuri Dixit, Vijay Sethupathi, Shahid Kapoor, and Karan Johar.
Dr. Pramod Sawant, the Chief Minister of Goa, graced the event as well, where Madhuri Dixit was felicitated for her profound contributions to Indian cinema.
Scheduled from November 20 to 28, the ceremony will showcase a plethora of cinematic creations, presenting 250 films over eight days.
The inaugural screening highlighted the British film "Catching Dust." The festival anticipates the presence of eminent personalities such as Salman Khan, AR Rahman, Anupam Kher, Vicky Kaushal, Sidharth Malhotra, Vidya Balan, Shreya Ghoshal, Aditi Rao Hydari, and Pankaj Tripathi during the course of the event.
During a media interaction preceding the inauguration, Anurag Thakur expressed, "IFFI continues to grow in stature every year, a testament to the hard work and dedication of filmmakers nationwide."
He highlighted the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in advancing the nation's art and culture through platforms like IFFI.
Thakur underscored the significant annual 20% growth of India's media and entertainment industry, solidifying the country's position among the top five global markets.
The festival stands as a pivotal platform, fostering artistic progress and showcasing India's robust presence in the realm of media and entertainment.
Anurag Thakur emphasized the government's commitment to nurturing and advancing the country's creative landscape, echoing the sentiments of growth and cultural richness encapsulated within IFFI.
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