Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting kept his cards close to his chest in the face of quizzing journalists eager to know who will be the chief guest for this year’s edition of the International Film Festival of India.
All that Javadekar did was to say a cryptic statement: “We don’t believe in untouchability and boycott. You will soon listen who is our chief guest”.Javadekar who is in Goa to oversee the preparations for the 45th edition of the 11-day festival which begins on November 20.
Bachchan, arguably Bollywood’s and Indian cinema’s biggest filmstar has long been talked of as a chief guest ever since attempts to rebrand IFFI on the lines of the Cannes Festival have made Goa its permanent home. However, the megastar’s only association with the festival has been as as a brand ambassador for a mass media campaign on HIV/AIDS.
Rivalry between the Bachchans known to be close to the Opposition BJP and Sonia Gandhi, president of the then ruling Congress party, had resulted in the black-listing of legendary actor from the festival.
The organisers of the festival this year have said that Bachchan has been invited, but news on whether it has been accepted is awaited. Javadekar’s statement that the party does not believe in “untouchability or boycott” is expected to fuel speculation about the actor’s presence.