Organizers talk 'neighbourly love' at SAFF inauguration

PANAJI: The South Asian Film Festival 2011 opened at Kala Academy on Thursday amid heavy police presence.
Chief minister Digambar Kamat told those gathered for the inaugural function, "We have always been saying Goa has to be promoted as a destination for film festivals... and now we have so many film festivals in the state like the International Film Festival of India (Iffi), SAFF, Marathi film festival and children's film festival."
Noted filmmaker and actor Randhir Kapoor, who was felicitated by chief secretary Sanjay Srivastava for the contribution of the RK banner to Bollywood, said, "Culture, films and language know no boundaries."
Paying tribute to his late uncle Shammi Kapoor, he said, "Shammi Kapoor was more of a friend than an uncle to me.Though not a great dancer, he had his own style. The actors of today are made to do ridiculous (dance) steps."
He added, "As long as people are there to see his work and style, Shammi Kapoor will never die. He will live in our hearts forever."
Earlier, Kamat, Srivastava, chief executive officer of the entertainment society of Goa, Manoj Srivastava, film personality Pooja Bhatt, secretary general-SAFF, Rahul Barua, and representatives of participatingA South Asian countries inaugurated the festival by lighting the traditional lamp.
Pooja Bhatt, in her speech, said "Dissolving boundaries is relevant in the times we live in. We as artists must agree to disagree. Let us pledge to revere individual plurality; and love, celebrate and engage our neighbours."
Manoj Srivastava felt, "SAFF features cinema which craves to make a statement."
Later, Maldivian artist Unoosha Mariyam rendered a musical performance, the first by a Maldivian artist in India, said organizers, while Goan singer Sonia Sirsat also performed.
'Kashmir ki Kali', starring Shammi Kapoor, was screened as the opening movie of the festival.