Now Michelle Yeoh sidelined at IFFI function

Panaji, Dec 3 (IANS) Organisers of the 42nd International Film festival of India (IFFI) appear to have made it a habit to invite gorgeous 'A' list Hollywood celebrities but then sidelining them.

While 'Hangover' star Heather Graham's presence was unacknowledged at the inaugural ceremony of the festival on Nov 23, at the concluding ceremony Saturday, it was Asian star Michelle Yeoh who was upstaged by Bollywood starlet Kangana Ranaut.

While Kangana, wearing a biker jacket, jeans and stilettos was seated in the front row of the Dinanath Mangeshkar auditorium, the venue of the concluding function, next to Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting C.M. Jatua, Michelle was shunned to anonymity in the second row.

While Kangana got to address the audience, Michelle, whose film 'The Lady' - based on the life of Burmese Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi - was the concluding film of the 11 day festival, did not get an opportunity.

Heather Graham's presence at the IFFI came to the fore only after a local newspaper published photographs of the stunning 41-year-old actress, whose film 'The Flying Machine' was screened at the IFFI this year.

'The Flying Machine' producer Hugh Welchman told reporters that the IFFI organisers were not able to schedule Heather's interaction with the media on two occasions, following which the actress flew back to the US.