The 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Panaji paid a solemn tribute on Monday by cancelling its scheduled entertainment programmes. This decision was made as a mark of respect for the legendary Bollywood actor, Dharmendra, who passed away at the age of 89.
Entertainment Programmes Halted as a Mark of Respect
All planned entertainment events for Monday were called off. This included the vibrant traditional Goan folk dance performance known as 'romtamel' and other on-stage activities intended for delegates and the public. The Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG), the body co-hosting the festival, confirmed the cancellations.
Delilah Lobo, the chairperson of ESG, stated that daily musical programmes for non-delegates outside the venue and entertainment in the Inox courtyard were suspended solely for the day. She assured that these events would resume as normal from Tuesday.
Silent Tributes and Continuing Screenings
Despite the cancellation of entertainment segments, the core cinematic activities of the festival continued uninterrupted. Film screenings across all venues proceeded according to the original schedule. The closing ceremony of the WAVES Film Bazaar also took place as planned.
A minute's silence was observed at two key moments: before a screening in the Goan films section and again at the WAVES Film Bazaar closing ceremony. The latter was attended by prominent filmmakers including Sudhir Mishra and Rajkumar Hirani, who joined in honouring the late actor's memory.
A Legacy to be Celebrated
The outpouring of respect for the cinematic icon was widespread. Goa's Chief Minister, Pramod Sawant, expressed his grief on social media platform X, calling Dharmendra "one of Indian cinema's most beloved and enduring icons."
Looking ahead, the festival organisers have planned a dedicated event to celebrate Dharmendra's immense contribution to Indian cinema. This special tribute, led by filmmaker Rahul Rawail, is scheduled for 1 pm on Tuesday at the Kala Academy. Furthermore, discussions are underway to include a homage to the veteran actor during IFFI's grand closing ceremony on November 28, though festival director Shekhar Kapur has kept specific details under wraps.
