IFFI to pay special tribute to Richard Attenborough

The upcoming edition of International Film Festival of India (IFFI) will pay special tribute to British filmmaker Richard Attenborough, best known for his Academy-award winning movie 'Gandhi'.
"Richard Attenborough stands as a very important filmmaker even in India. He gave (the movie) 'Gandhi' to the world. 'Gandhi' had a pan-global approach. There will be a very special and beautiful tribute to him," IFFI's steering committee member Vani Tripathi told PTI here.
Attenborough died on August 24 this year, five days before his 91st birthday.
"The tribute would be a very special kind of experience. You will see some snippets and glimpses of Attenborough's life and him as a filmmaker," she said.

"'Gandhi' will remain a focus and also the other works of Attenborough. There are some very important films that he made before and after 'Gandhi', they will also be a part of the tribute," Tripathi said.
IFFI would be held in Goa from November 20-30.

The organisers are still working on Attenborough's tribute section and once it is put together, only then it would be clear whether his family members would be present for the festival, she said.
On the presence of big wigs from the Indian film industry for the festival's inauguration, she said the Information and Broadcasting ministry has contacted megastar Amitabh Bachchan for the opening ceremony.

"Some very senior dignitaries of the film industry are expected to be present. Rajini sir (veteran actor Rajinikanth) is also one of the names in the list... The ministry will issue an official statement as soon as confirmations come," she said.
This year, the festival is very special because Goa has become a permanent venue for IFFI, Vani said.
"It is also a matter of prestige for Goa that the Central and state governments will be working in coordination with each other (for the festival)," she added.