Goa CM ducks queries on Amitabh's absence from film fest

Panaji, Nov 20 (IANS) The name of Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan was yet again found missing from the guest list of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), forcing Goa Chief Minister Digambar Kamat Saturday to field queries on his exclusion.

Kamat said the list of official invitees was prepared by the Directorate of Film Festivals (DFF), governed by the information and broadcasting ministry.

'We do not interfere, the ministry decides,' Kamat told reporters.

The 41st edition of IFFI will be held in Goa from Nov 22. DFF, along with the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG), a state government wing, organises the annual event.

The 10-day film festival will be inaugurated by Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee and Bollywood filmmaker Yash Chopra.

Amitabh Bachchan has not been invited to IFFI ever since it shifted to Goa in 2003.