Panaji: The glitz, glamour and star euphoria of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) was replaced by masks, sanitisers and limited attendance at the inaugural ceremony of the 51st edition of the movie gala here.
The coronavirus pandemic put a dent to IFFI last year, with the festival being pushed by two months from its regular November show.
The festival screens national and international films and hosts artistes from across the world, engaging in masterclasses and discussions throughout its nine-day run.
This year, the festival is having its first “hybrid mode” edition, where delegates can participate and watch films and events virtually.
While previous editions of the festival’s opening hosted a cluster of stars, including Amitabh Bachchan, Rajinikanth, Shah Rukh Khan, Katrina Kaif and Karan Johar, the 51st edition was a low-key affair.
The ongoing pandemic guidelines ensured that not more than 250 people were present at Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor…