The opening ceremony of the 53rd International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2022 was held in Goa on 20th November. The IFFI is scheduled from 20th November to 28th November.
Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi was named the ‘Indian Film Personality of the Year’. Announcing his name at the government’s marquee film festival, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur said the award is an acknowledgment of the actor’s multi-decade contribution as an actor, dancer and producer in Indian cinema.
The 67-year-old former Rajya Sabha MP who was conferred the Padma Bhushan in 2006, forayed into politics with the Praja Rajyam Party in 2008, which he later merged with the Indian National Congress. Regarded as one of the most influential Telugu artists, Chiranjeevi also served as the Union minister of tourism from 2012 to 2014.
Narrating an instance where Tim Watts, the assistant minister for foreign affairs of Australia, said he watched RRR with English subtitles, the Union minister stated, “India is a country full of stories. No other country can offer such stories and also the manpower, which is skilled and less expensive. The festival also serves as a major platform for regional film-makers to come and showcase their work. ‘RRR’, a regional film, has become an international film. The movie has not only done business but has also showcased the power of Indian storytelling.”
Thakur further commented, “Much like real life, cinema is incomplete without the participation of women. We are trying to make sure that their work is showcased and promoted as much as possible. This year, almost 40pc of films being showcased here are made by women filmmakers or are centered on female stories.”
Vijayendra Prasad, Ajay Devgn, Suniel Shetty, Manoj Bajpayee, and Paresh Rawal were also honoured. The 53rd edition opened to star-studded performances by Varun Dhawan, Kartik Aaryan and Sara Ali Khan, among others.
