Rajendra Talak's Film 'antarnad' is the only Konkan Film to be screened at the IIFI festival, Herald, the largest circulated weekly of Goa, laments. I start my day with that news. Lack of interest and initiative from the Konkan Film industry was lamented by the public in general and taking the affront to another level and giving it a business angle, Leonares, the local Restaurant and Motel is offering shows of favorite Konkan Films for Rs. 150/- a show, dinner buffet included. Aint it sweet and cool?  And hey, you wanna look cool and ride your bike at 100kmph on the roads of Goa and still not be ticketed? its possible today, I learnt, for there were not to be any traffic cops today in the other parts of the city as most were moved to the Panjim to control the traffic here in view of the festival. Herald reports that 33 out of 45 Margao traffic police were asked to report to Panjim. Yeah baby, the festival is ON.

A little background history of the festival would help, I guess. The first edition of IFFI was held in India in the year 1952. In its third appearance which was in 1965, the Paris based Federation Internationale des Associations de Producteurs de Films(I love French, it is so French!) gave the official recognition to the Indian Festival putting it on par with other festivals such as the Cannes, Berlin and Venice festivals.

The last two days were the prefestival days I learn and today, on the 23rd is going to be the opening ceremony. It would be followed by the screening of Pedro Almodvar's 'Volver' which won the Best Screenplay and Best Supporting Actress awards at the Cannes. The festival is going to end with Alejandro Gonzalez's 'Babel' starring Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett, the Film also won the Best Director award for its captain. It all sounds good but the ceremony is only by invitation and I dont have one. With that worry on my mind, I finished my Tea at Kamat's and walked towards the Inox hastily, hoping to trick our AP Film Chamber's representative into giving me one. All my charms proved nothing(its a guy, you see) and before I knew, it was lunch time. I quickly channeled my charms towards the opposite sex in the form of the Security Chief named Amandeep, a pretty and kind-looking Punjabi girl. She would try for me and asked me to call her in a couple of hours. Another way to get a girl's number, I thought. I called later, alas, she couldn't help me.

The AP chambers apparently got 15 invitations and we 'not-so-famous' delegates could not even take a look at their covers before they were gone in a jiff. Frustrating really! Hyderabad or Goa or anywhere else here in India, there is no transparency, I thought. Not the one to give up easily, I went and moved the Media center guys. Too late, you should have come in the morning, they said. Met a real hottie Natasha there! She aint Russian guys, she is a Northy! I will keep my fingers crossed for the rest of the festival. Out of the media center and I saw that the parade had just begun. I quickly got into the international photographer mode with my Sony Cyber Shot Digital camera and started clicking like there is no tomorrow. Boy, it was liberating. I think I will pursue photography in my next life, its very fashionable and is very attractive to the fairer sex, I discovered. Guys, Engineering is a drag, forget it and get some life. Parade over but still no pass in sight. None is merciful enough to give me the all powerful entry pass.

Just when I almost gave up and was literally dragging myself towards the cafe coffee day stall at the venue, I got a call. One of our champion guys have managed to 'steal' them, yes, literally 'steal' the invitations  from the office there and saved a few of us lucky guns. 'Run Harry run!', he said in an almost Forrest Gump ishtyle. Run I did, like a hare, all my 12 years of jogging finally coming to my aid. Everything happens for a reason, you see!

Inside the Kala Academy compound where the ceremony was held, I saw tonnes of kids from all sections of society comfy'ly sitting in their chairs, with no sweat! Yes, I was sweating profusely after hours of fighting for the pass and after the could-have-beaten-PT Usha sprint. I saw dear Venkatesh there up on the dais and felt better suddenly. Apna Venky hi, the thought was very comforting. His wardrobe guy must be hanged though, he was wearing an awful jacket. His speech was the best and received the loudest applause. He said something like "its wonderful to be here, Goa has got great beaches, great food and great people'. He forgot to mention great babes! People loved him nevertheless. The rest were all also-rans. Vidya Balan came in a dazzling white saree and lit the lamp. Other distinguished men simply obeyed her in silence. Beauty just takes over I guess.

Ceremony over, our entire gang skipped the Almodvar's Film for we were too tired. George's is lovely little restaurant right next to Manvin's and we parked our behinds there. It was cozy and I ordered Cashew Fenny with Mackarel fry for the starters. If you are in Goa, you got to try the Fenny, my learned friends in Vizag told me earlier. They were right. It was awesome. I got totally drunk and then started writing this article for Jeevi. Now you know why I am talking so much. Adios amigos, lets meet tomorrow. Till then, enjoy the photo gallary. Sholay and Deewar gave Titanic a run for its money in the parade. Good Day!

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