Siddaramiah, Kamal Haasan launch Bengaluru International Film Festival

Bangalore: The 6th Bangalore Inter­national Film Festival (BIFF­ES) kicked off ceremoniously marking the arrival of the magical week for cinema lovers and movie buffs. The inauguration at the Jnana Jyothi Auditorium at the Central college campus started with a melodious rendition of Saraswati  Vandana by Smt Poornima Kulkarni followed by a cultural dance performance.

The event was inaugurated by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramiah and renowned cine actor, Kamal Haasan. The inaugural was presided over by Dinesh Gundu Rao, Minister of State for food and civil supplies. The chief guests of the event were home minister K.J. George, Minister of State for Kannada and Culture Umashree.

The guest of honor for the event were; renowned Iranian cine director, Pouran Derakh­shandeh and the festival director of Hof Film festival, Germany Heinz Georg Badewitz.  The function did see other guests including P.C. Mohan(Bangalore Central MP), B.S. Satya­nara­yana(Mayor, BBMP), H.D. Gangaraju (President of Karnataka Film and chamber of commerce) and ren­owned film actor, Sudeep.

At the event CM of Karnataka Siddaramiah, welcomed all the delegates saying, “ It isa privilege to be a part of such a grand event.” He further asked everyone present to” rejoice relax and remember the film festival,” and was pleased to see such a huge crowd. AT the event Kamal Haasan remembered his early days of being apart of cinema saying that he used to travel all the way from Madras to this city and watch movies at 'Baal Bhavan'.