IFFI kicks off in Goa, Ben Kingsley missed

New Delhi: The 40th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) began in Goa on Monday.

This 11-day festival brings together over 200 films from 50 countries.

IFFI kicked-off with veteran actress Waheeda Rahman inaugurating the festival along along with I&B minister Ambika Soni. Actors Asin and Nana Patekar were also present at the inauguration though the expected chief guest for the evening Sir Ben Kingsley was conspicuous by his absence.

Chinese historical drama film Wheat opens the festival, while Konkani film Paltadacho Munis (The Man Beyond The Bridge) opens the Indian Panorama section.

The festival also celebrates the Golden Jubilee of three of India's finest actors, viz. Sharmila Tagore, Asha Parekh and Shoumitra Chatterjee with retrospectives on each of them.

IFFI 2009 closes on December 3. 2009 with the Spanish film Broken Dreams and will have Malayalam star Mammootty as the chief guest.

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