the goan I network
PANAJI
Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan, who is in his 70s, went nostalgic at the opening ceremony of the 50th edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI).
He recollected his sweet experience during the shooting of his first film, Saat Hindustani in Goa in the 1960s.
Saat Hindustani - A 1969 film directed by Khwaja Ahmad Abbas - portrays the heroic story of seven Indians who attempted to liberate Goa from the Portuguese colonial rule.
While speaking to the media at the time of entering the film festival inauguration venue, Bachchan said that coming to Goa was always nostalgic for him. “I shot my first film in Goa, so coming back here has always been nostalgic,” he said.
Earlier an excerpt of what Amitabh spoke was shared on the official Twitter account of IFFI 2019: “This is not the first time that I am here. I am really honoured. Films have always been an integral part of our social life and to have a festival of this magnitude gives us an opportunity to meet and mix with people.”
While speaking about films and film festival in Goa, Bachchan said films have always been an integral part of “our lives and to have a festival of this magnitude helps the people of Goa to know what’s happening in the world.”
“A film festival gives us an opportunity to meet and mix with people. It’s a great honour and I am happy to be here,” he added.
At the inauguration ceremony, Bachchan was honoured with an award at the hands of Rajinikanth.
The Big B, as he is known, attributed the credit of his success to his fans. “Very grateful to all my film colleagues and, above all, I am grateful to you, my janta, who has been with me during the highs and lows. I am highly indebted to you and would never want to relieve myself of this debt,” he said.
While appreciating Rajinikant, he said, “Thank you so much Rajini for being with me and being an incredible source of inspiration. Such a humble human being. Came up from such humble beginnings. It is incredible that we have him here with us today, inspiring us every day and night.”
Bachchan’s films will be screened in the retrospective section. Expressing his gratitude towards organisers Bachchan said; “I have no words to express my gratitude to IFFI for honouring me today and for also having a retrospective of my films which should be starting tomorrow. I am grateful that you have chosen me and my films for a retrospective. I hope to see some of you there.”
