The ten day long 45th International Film festival of India opened in a gala function this 
evening at the Shama Prasad Mukherjee stadium near Panaji in Goa. The film icon Amitbh Bacchan bestowed the film centenary award instituted by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry from last year on the South Indian mega star Rajanikant. Glimpses of the enthralling dances from the celluloid history were recreated on the dais of the inaugural function amid the presence of seven thousand strong film lovers and a large number of personalities from the Indian film world.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Arun Jaitley said the film culture has assumed the form of alternative religion in India as it entertains, gives varied social perspectives and educates younger generation in versatile ways in our multi lingual multi-cultural society.
Cinema today is being corporatized and becoming more and more professional, he added. Bachhan also outlined the social significance of the the art form of film making and viewing as it hails from the mankind’s heritage of story telling. He also mentioned the contribution of I & B Ministry by starting a project to digitally preserve the entire film history of India began in the centenary year of film making in India last year.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar who was at the helm of affairs for the IFFI in Goa for last three years assured the audience that a permanent venue will be in place for future festivals from next year. The place has already been chosen, he added.
Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar thanked the Union Government for making Goa the permanent venue of the festival from this year.
The members of the International Jury were felicitated at the hands of Mr Jaitley on the occasion. The Opening film of the festival is the Hollywood film President.