Union Minister Rathore inaugurates Children's Film Festival in Hyd

Promising an entertaining outing of children's cinema for a week, the 19th International Children's Film Festival of India (ICFFI) got off to a colourful start here tonight. Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore inaugurated the festival in the presence of Telangana Cinematography Minister T Srinivas Yadav, Bollywood actress Tabu, Karishma Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor and other film personalities. Rathore wished that the week-long festival would offer good and quality cinema to the audience, especially children. Over 1,200 entries have been received from about 80 countries, he said. Noting that he grew up in a generation reading 'Amar Chitra Katha' and 'Panchatanra', he said that the present generation of children can make even short films with smartphones. India as a country has a great story telling tradition, he said. Observing that Hyderabad is hosting the biennial event for the 11th time, he said there is a possibility of the city becoming the permanent venue for the Children's Film Festival. Telangana Minister Srinivas said the state government is committed to promote films and also children's films. Recalling his super hit serial of "Shaktimaan" in the 1990s, Children Film Society of India (CFSI) Chairman Mukesh Khanna said the serial had the noble message of 'Vasudhaivi Kutumbakam' (the whole world is one family) which would be reflected during the festival. Karishma and Karina Kapoor enthralled the audience with a dance on a Bollywood number. Karishma expressed happiness that a short film made by her daughter has been selected for competition in the festival.