11-11-2005, 09:18 PM
IFFI: Goa pulls back its invite to Big B
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->The Information and Broadcasting Ministry has leaned on the Goa government to cancel the invitation extended to actor Amitabh Bachchan to inaugurate next monthâs 36th International Film Festival of India.
According to sources, Information Minister Jaipal Reddy pulled up Goa CM Pratapsinh Rane for inviting Bachchan to inaugurate the festival. ââWe were told not to project Amitabh Bachchan since he was a Samajwadi Party leader,ââ said a bureaucrat from Goa who attended the meeting with I & B officials in Delhi
Goa government officials were also told that <span style='color:red'>Congress chief Sonia Gandhi will be displeased with the decision to invite Bachchan to inaugurate the film fest. The I&B Ministry decided that Sanjay Dutt and Shahrukh Khan will be brought in for the inauguration. </span>
Rane is now in an embarrassing situation since it was he who personally persuaded Bachchan to open the festival.
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->The Information and Broadcasting Ministry has leaned on the Goa government to cancel the invitation extended to actor Amitabh Bachchan to inaugurate next monthâs 36th International Film Festival of India.
According to sources, Information Minister Jaipal Reddy pulled up Goa CM Pratapsinh Rane for inviting Bachchan to inaugurate the festival. ââWe were told not to project Amitabh Bachchan since he was a Samajwadi Party leader,ââ said a bureaucrat from Goa who attended the meeting with I & B officials in Delhi
Goa government officials were also told that <span style='color:red'>Congress chief Sonia Gandhi will be displeased with the decision to invite Bachchan to inaugurate the film fest. The I&B Ministry decided that Sanjay Dutt and Shahrukh Khan will be brought in for the inauguration. </span>
Rane is now in an embarrassing situation since it was he who personally persuaded Bachchan to open the festival.
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