Mega star Amitabh Bachchan conferred with ‘Indian Film Personality of the Year’ by Akshay Kumar and Uninion Minister Smriti Irani on Tuesday at closing ceremony of IFFI Goa 2017. After receiving the award, Bachchan address the event and he stated that cinema is wonderful example of unity and integration.
Addressing the event, Bachchan said, “There are many occasion in life when you don’t have words to express your feelings. I am very glad & grateful that all of you showered so much of love and support on me. I want to thank Akshay for his kind words. Sidharth (Malhotra) has performed today here on my film songs. I am relieved that he wasn’t there during my era otherwise he would have taken all my roles.”
“I want to thank Chief Minister of Goa Manohar Parrikar ji, Union Minister Smriti Irani ji and wonderful, happy and welcoming audience of Goa. Goa has always been close to my heart. My first film ‘Saat Hindustani’ (1969) was shot in Goa therefore, I have immense amount of memories, love and affection for the people of Goa.”
“If I may say so my very first film fan that I had was also from Goa. Her name is Zarine Fernandes. Today she is here and fortunately she is still a fan. I just want to thank IFFI and Smriti Irani for his recognition. I always felt that accolades that came to me, I feel I do not deserve and I still feel the same but I do respect this award”
“I always felt that my respect and regard for Indian film industry has vested in the presence that the film industry has had in our world when we sit inside a dark cinema hall, we never ask the cast, creed or colour and religion to the person who sit next to our self yet we see the same film. We laugh at same jokes and cry to same emotions, we sing same song in this fast disintegrating world of today, where can you find such wonderful and worthy example of unity integration as you do in world of cinema”
Amitabh Bachchan also shared memory of his father late Harivansh Rai Bachchcan, he said, “During last years of my father revered poet Dr. Hariwansh Rai Bachchan, he used to sit in front of television and see a Hindi film every evening often it used to be my own films so one day, I asked him, what is it that it so attracts him about Hindi cinema so he replied, ‘I get to see poetic justice in those 3 hours. You and I will not see poetic justice in lifetime perhaps several lifetimes’. This is the power and strength of cinema”
“I am very proud Indian and I am also very proud yet small member of this exquisite fraternity called the Indian Film Industry”
Before honoring Amitabh Bachchan, Sidharth took to the stage to give a special tribute to the megastar. The young actor brought back memories as he danced to popular Bachchan numbers like Khaika Paan Banaras Wala, Saara Zamaana Haseeno Ka Deewana and more.
Apart from Sidharth’s special tribute performance for the legendary Amitabh Bachchan, the night also saw a mesmerizing show by singer Papon.
The award presented to Big B included a silver peacock, a certificate and scroll and a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh.
In its 48th year, IFFI 2017 was a grand affair in every aspect and as it inches towards its 50th year, we can only expect it to become better and bigger than it ever was, shining the arc lights on some of the best of cinema, filmmakers and actors from not just India but around the world.
