Panaji, November 20: The eight-day long 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) began on Thursday with a grand and colourful parade along with a carnival parade in Goa’s capital, Panaji.
Goa Governor Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju formally inaugurated the event by hoisting the flag on the stage outside the Panaji Municipal Corporation (GMC) building.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L. Murugan, Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy Shripad Yesso Naik, ministers of the Goa government, MPs and MLAs were present on the occasion. Information and Broadcasting Secretary Sanjay Jaju delivered the welcome address at the event. Film Festival Director Shekhar Kapur and filmmaker Anupam Kher were also present.
For the first time, the audience at the International Film Festival of India was welcomed with a dynamic festival. A celebration where stories move, music breathes, characters leap off the screen, and India reveals itself through rhythm, color, pride, and breathtaking imagination.
This one-of-a-kind parade, stretching from the Entertainment Society of Goa office to the Kala Academy, transformed the streets of Goa into a living canvas of India’s cinematic and cultural brilliance.
The parade was led by the magnificent state tableaux of Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, and Goa. Andhra Pradesh showcased the charm of Visakhapatnam’s golden shores, the mystical valleys of Araku, and the vibrant spirit of Tollywood, while Haryana showcased a colorful blend of folklore, theater, culture, and cinematic glory.
The marching states were accompanied by grand cinematic tableaux from the country’s leading production houses—each creating a dynamic universe of storytelling excellence.
The mythological power of Akhanda 2, the emotional depth of Ram Charan’s Peddi, the creative force of Mythri Movie Makers, the iconic legacy of Zee Studios, the global vision of Hombale Films, the Odia heritage of Bindusagar, Ultra Media’s centenary tribute to Guru Dutt, and the vibrant storytelling of Waves OTT—all showcased the boundless diversity of Indian cinema.
Adding a historical dimension to this was the ‘NFDC 50 Years’ tableau, which also showcased the five-decade tradition of nurturing filmmakers and promoting cinematic innovation across the country.
The presentation, titled “Bharat Ek Sur,” featured a mesmerizing folk symphony featuring over a hundred artists from sixteen states, in which Bhangra meets Garba, Lavani flows into Ghoomar, Bihu breathes alongside Chhau and Naati, culminating with a tricolor dance. India’s beloved animation characters—Chhota Bheem and Chutki, and Motu Patlu and Bittu Bahanebaaz—greeted the audience with laughter, warmth, and playful spirit.
Also present at the event was Ms Jaewon Kim, Member of the National Assembly of South Korea and special guest, who surprised and touched the audience with her full and soulful rendition of the national song Vande Mataram at the Waves Film Bazaar opening ceremony in the afternoon. She also sang a passage from Vande Mataram at the parade and wished the national song on its 150th anniversary.
Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Dr. L. Murugan, praised Ms Kim for not only singing but also singing the full version.