Panaji, Dec 1 (IANS) The National Organisation for Tobacco Eradication (NOTE) has taken objection to film stars smoking at the ongoing 40th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) venue here.

"Rajat Kapoor, Radhika Apte and other delegates were seen smoking within the INOX courtyard. This appeared in local newspapers. It is a violation of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) 2003 which is operative in Goa since Oct 2, 2008," Shekhar Salkar, the NOTE general secretary, said in a written complaint sent to the organisers.

The complaint was addressed to Manoj Srivastava, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG), the co-host for IFFI along with the Directorate of Film Festivals.

While Rajat is here to promote his English film "And Once Again" directed by Amol Palekar, Radhika stars along with Rahul Bose in Bengali film "Antaheen", a film screened at the festival's Indian Panorama section.

NOTE has said that it was the organisers' legal and moral responsibility to ensure that "film stars and VIPs not be seen smoking as the younger generation would imitate the actions of these heroes and become addicted to smoking which will damage their health".

It has further asked ESG to shore up action against smoking at the IFFI venues and ensuring that the public places remain smoke free.

"It is your responsibility to see that no more violations of COTPA Act 2003 take place and the whole premises of INOX remain completely smoke free since it is a public place," it said. 

'SBK' arrival triggers rumours of SRK sighting in Goa!

Panaji, Dec 1 (IANS) Don't believe in rumours - it is wisely said. Hours before Sir Ben Kingsley was to arrive in Panaji for the 40th edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), the venue was abuzz with rumours of Shah Rukh Khan dropping by at the IFFI venue at the same time.

By afternoon, even mediapersons were bitten by the SRK bug. Some insisted that the Bollywood superstar and Sir Kingsley would be addressing a joint press conference.

King Khan finally did not arrive for the IFFI. Turns out that the confusion had arisen after the organisers had flashed messages that SBK (initials of Sir Ben Kingsley) would be addressing the media on Monday afternoon.

And SBK had mutated into SRK (Shah Rukh Khan's initials) in a matter of minutes, which had the rumour mills working furiously.

"We had heard that SRK was coming. There were messages floating around that Shah Rukh would either be addressing a press conference or he was around in town," Sean Faia, a public relations professional, told IANS.

Sir Ben Kingsley subsequently addressed the media at 4 p.m., speaking about his forthcoming film 'Taj' and fielding questions on his role as Mahatma Gandhi in Sir Richard Attenborough's epic film "Gandhi".

Bollywood overshadowed Marathi cinema, says Amol Palekar

Panaji, Dec 1 (IANS) Actor-director Amol Palekar says he is happy with the fact that Marathi cinema is back in the reckoning after being overshadowed by Bollywood movies for years.

"Marathi cinema has been in conflict and had to bear the direct brunt of Bollywood and masala films. Marathi films really had to struggle," Palekar said while speaking to reporters at a press conference here Monday.

Palekar's English film "And Once Again", starring Rituparna Sengupta and Rajat Kapoor, was premiered at the 40th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) here. 

"It is really wonderful to see where Marathi cinema is today. It occupies the position that Bengali cinema and Malayalam cinema once had - the spearhead of non-mainstream cinema," the award winning actor director said.

Palekar may feel that Bollywood movies obstructed the growth of Marathi films, but it doesn't stop him from hiring Hindi film actresses for his directorial ventures.

He teamed up with Sonali Bendre in "Anahat" and for "And Once Again" he has roped in glamourous Antara Mali to play a monk.

Commenting on his choices of glamorous Hindi film actresses, he said: "At that time, people told me why have you taken Sonali... she cannot act and so on. But Sonali did an exceptional job in the film."

"Most of us have cliched views of artists. I am fortunate to be able to look beyond that and see what most people don't see."

Ben Kingsley's wife might team up with Aishwarya Rai in 'Taj'

Panaji, Dec 1 (IANS) Actress Aishwarya Rai might be pitted against Ben Kingsley's wife Daniela Lavender in his dream project "Taj", a film about Mughal emperor Shah Jahan and his quest to build the Taj Mahal.

"Aishwarya Rai Bachchan will play Mumtaz in the movie, if she approves the script and loves it. Daniela would be playing Kandahari Begum, Shah Jahan's first wife in the film," Kingsley told reporters in Panaji Monday.

The actor, who is here as guest of honour for the 40th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), said he will play the emperor in the film.

But he feels that making "Taj" won't be easy. 

"I suppose it's very foolish or very brave attempt to do a movie on Shah Jahan. If I can show him in a human way, if I can portray him as a man amongst us -- I might be able to add to many explanations on how Taj was built," Kingsley said. 

He added that the script had arrived less than a week ago and that he would be scouting in India for funds for his $25 to $27 million project.

"During my few days in India, we have to raise funds. It's not fully financed," said Kingsley who drew accolades from the world over for his portrayal of Mahatma Gandhi in Richard Attenborough's highly acclaimed film "Gandhi".