Goa Govt - IFFI fight over A R Rehman
26 November 2004 23:20 IST The prelude to International film festival of India (IFFI) is marked with bitterness reported between Goa’s chief minister Manohar Parrikar and Director of Film festivals (DFF) Neelam Kapur.
The bone of contention is A R Rehman’s show for the inaugural function on November 29.
Ms Kapur, known for throwing her weight around with local organizers, has developed sharp differences with chief minister. Result: Un-certainty over venue for Rehman’s show. Till this afternoon, neither Kapur nor Parrikar could decide on venue.
Sources close to chief minister disclosed that Parrikar is interested in holding the public performance of Rehman as Rs 80 lakh is being paid to the troupe. Parrikar had strongly told Kapur that he would not allow Rehman’s show to be restricted to few invitees.
The chief minister, right from beginning, wanted that local masses should get the maximum benefit of the festival. Rehman’s show in four walls of Kala Academy would have defeated the purpose.
Kapur agreed to chief minsiter’s contention. But the question still remains. Where to hold the show?
Even three days after deciding to alter the venue, the IFFI organizers are struggling hard to find the perfect venue. In their search operation, the bitterness between Ms Kapur and chief minister is getting exposed. Kapur prefers to put the ball in chief minister’s court to decide on the venue.
``How can I tell you? The chief minister would be in a better position to explain you about Rehman’s show,’’ was how she reacted to a query from journalists
The chief minister Parrikar on the other hand gave similar reply contending that it’s DFF’s responsibility to find out the venue. ``How can I tell you? It’s the responsibility of DFF,’’ he questioned when quizzed by mediamen. When told about Ms Kapur’s reply the chief minister played safe asking for a day’s time to inform media about the venue.
