The big takeaway from the just-concluded 38th International Film Festival of India is that we may finally have an international film festival on our hands. There, I’ve said it. Being complimentary about the IFFI, with its trademark chaos and confusion, doesn’t come naturally to any of us regulars. But this time around, in its fourth edition in Goa, the IFFI seems to have found its feet.

Bollywood went missing this time, and it worked to the festival’s advantage. Stampedes of camerapersons chasing filmstars for sound-bytes are all very well, but only when they don’t take away from the proceedings. Right from the sober opening ceremony — no shirtless Salman, no Bipasha and her ‘bidi’, no tasteless gyrations — the signs were evident that this was going to be Films First, Stars Later event. Star-spotting is serious business in such festivals as Cannes, which Goa is hoping to turn into, but the former is clear about its priorities: it gets the best movies in its line-up; the red carpet is just a massive spin-off.

Shah Rukh Khan was the sole megastar touch at the inaugural. He displayed his dimples, delivered a smart speech, charmed everybody, and left. Allowing everyone to swiftly return to the real business at hand: watching as many movies as they could, feverishly checking the catalogue to see what’s next, meeting film people from around the world, or just simply hanging, soaking in the atmosphere, which is like no other — a mix of film, food and festive spirits.

... contd.