IFFI is good for Goa: Wendell Rodrigues

Panaji, Nov 25 (IANS) IFFI is good for Goa, feels high-profile fashion designer Wendell Rodrigues, who is supportive of his state becoming the permanent venue for the annual film festival.

'I think the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) is good for Goa. And as far as I am concerned when we have film festivals I get a lot of business because all the stars and other people involved visit my shop. Whoever comes to the film festival buys my clothes too,' Rodrigues told IANS in an interview.

However, he wants the government to utilise all the facilities arranged for the festival in the long term.

'I wish they would not put so much emphasis on just a few days. They should use the facilities for other things like advertising and other genres of films so the venues are used throughout the year,' he said.

'Organising this function is a big drain on the state, police personnel, security. You see so much government time going into doing up the festival, which could be directed to other projects. We have a big problem of garbage. This year I am happy with the festival as it is not so bad in the sense that the city is not disrupted as in the earlier years.'

Unlike his fellow Goan Remo Fernandes, who protested when IFFI moved to its permanent venue in Goa, Rodrigues supports Goa as the venue. He also feels the new advance ticketing system has helped in controlling the burgeoning crowds.

'I think the ticketing is justified from all points of view. I know in the past two years there has sometimes been a huge rush for a single film and they couldn't allow all the people inside because the hall cannot hold so many. It's good that people can decide which film they want to see and book in advance, rather than everybody rushing in.

'I'm a delegate and I love watching films. I want to see the Pakistani film 'Khuda Ke Liye' and have booked in advance.'

Though cinema and fashion go hand in hand, at IFFI one does not see any style statements made unlike at Cannes where the glitterati dazzle in their best designer outfits.

'Because there is no red carpet here and not enough stars attending. The culture of red carpets in India only exists for awards whether its Filmfare or MTV Lycra awards. The concept of red has to catch on. I would be happy if they introduce this red carpet trend because it would mean more business.'

Asked whom he would like to dress if the red carpet system is introduced at IFFI, Rodrigues said: 'I would love to dress as many stars as possible. But as you ask me a particular name I would say I will love to dress my friend Rekha. She is comfortable in saris so I would like to design a sari for her and would also like her to try a gown, which looks like a sari.

'What I would do for all the stars I am dressing up is not make it completely western because it's not our culture to wear those elaborate gowns that they do for Cannes. It should have its own identity. From the clothes you should be able to make out that the festival is happening in India. You need to add a cultural tinge to the designs.'

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