Muscat: Films are one of the greatest integrators of the world today, according to Indian movie icon, Amitabh Bachchan.
Speaking at the opening of the sixth Muscat International Film Festival, he said: "Films bring people together therefore any form of international film festival is always very welcome."
Bachchan was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the opening of the Film Festival, which is being organised by the Oman Film Society (OFS) and the International Film Fraternity of Oman (IFFO).
The Oman Auditorium at the Al Bustan Palace Hotel on Saturday night was packed as veteran Omani actor Saleh Za'Al and Egyptian Madkour Thabit were also conferred with the Lifetime Achievement Awards by Hamad Bin Mohammed Bin Mohsin Al Rashdi, Oman's Information Minister.
In his acceptance speech, Bachchan thanked the organisers and people of Oman for their warm welcome. "I am proud to be honoured by the Muscat Film Festival. This is my first visit to this country, but certainly it won't be my last," he said to the thunderous applause from the packed house.
The festival will screen 85 features films, documentary and short films in the next one week at Al Bahja Cinema, Sultan Qaboos University, College of Law, Cultural Club and several hotels.
Speaking at the inaugural function, Khalid Abdul Rahim Al Zedjali, Chairman of Oman Film Society, thanked those who helped in putting together the Film Festival.
"The festival is a door that opens up the experiences of the other films from different parts of the world. The films have been carefully selected and prepared to compete in their respective categories," said Al Zedjali.
Over 40 films from 20 will be showcased during the weeklong Film Festival. A short montage of different entries was screened on the opening night even as a troupe from Syria entertained the audience, including enactment of a song from Bachchan's film of the yore.
About the performance by the Syrian troupe, Bachchan has already written on his Blog: "The biggest roar came for the enactment by local artists of the song from ‘Amar Akbar Anthony' - anhoonee ko honi kar de - in a detailed replication of clothing, properties and movement done to the T. Loved it !"
