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Goa gets ‘permanent’ tag for IFFI IFFI: Jaipal Reddy also promises co-production treaties with Italy, UK, China Posted online: Friday, November 25, 2005 at 0319 hours IST PANJIM, NOVEMBER 24: An evergreen superstar, the gentle giant of regional cinema, a starlet from across the border and two leading ladies of Bollywood: the opening day tableau of the 36 th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2005. The Inox courtyard in Panjim laid out the red carpet for the glitterati as Goa kept its date with IFFI for the second time in a row. In fact, the state got a stamp of immortality with Union Minister of Urban Development and Culture Jaipal Reddy terming it “the permanent address of IFFI.’’ Reddy hoped the festival would reach the illustrious heights of Cannes, Berlin and Venice. “Goa will soon be known not merely as a tourist destination but also as cinema destination,’’ he said. The minister also announced co-production treaties with Italy and UK. There are plans of joint ventures with Germany, China, Canada and Singapore also. “Many foreign productions want to come and shoot in the heritage and natural locations of India. We want to start the process,’’ he said. The opening ceremony had its share of felicitations. Chief guest Dev Anand was hailed for being “an attractive and productive artiste.’’ Dev saab, with a red rose in hand reminisced about his first Goa memory. “In 1961 when Goa was liberated, I drove down from Mumbai all by myself and put my car on the ferry,’’ he said. Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi was the other guest of honour. Reddy referred to him as the “gentle giant of Telugu cinema.’’ Chiranjeevi was the last minute replacement for Amitabh Bachchan. Urmila Matondkar danced to Ek Do Teen and Chamma Chamma, while Amisha Patel and Pakistani actor Meera performed on Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya and Dil Cheez Kya Hai respectively.
