Rane shrugs off claims of mismanagement at IFFI

Panaji,Dec 2 (UNI) Hitting out at critics of having Goa as the permanent venue of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) ,Chief Minister Pratapsinh Rane today said '' come what may,IFFI will be held in the state only''.

''We are doing our best and will improve gradually. But, some people are not comfortable with this development'', Mr Rane said while releasing ''Babel-The Book'', launched by E-City Films on the closing film of the 37th IFFI which will be screened tommorrow.

He said the director of the Cinema of the World section at Cannes who is participating in the festival to select a package of Indian films for the Cannes next year to mark the 60th anniversary of Indian independence told him that IFFI in its third year at Goa was much better that the organisation of the festival at Cannes in its third year more than five decades ago.

The Chief Minister said a film culture was picking up in the state and local people are getting interested in different kinds of cinema.

''Goa is known for tourism in the world and we hope to develop the state in such a way that people can come here for a holiday and watch good movies from across the globe,''he added.

Talking to reporters later, Mr Rane said he had seen the criticism about IFFI in Goa in the media in the last ten days.

When asked about the South Indian filmmakers grouse that Bollywood was given prominence at the festival, Mr Rane said, ''I do not think so. All kinds of films and filmmakers were at the festival and all delegates enjoyed watching the films and interacting with the makers,'' he added.

UNI MR MQA VC1955