Panaji: Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi was declared the Indian Film Personality of the Year at the 53rd edition of the International Film Festival of India that opened to audiences in Goa on Sunday.

Announcing Chiranjeevi’s name at the government’s marquee film festival, Union information and broadcasting minister Anurag Thakur said the award is an acknowledgment of the actor’s multi-decade contribution as an actor, dancer and producer in Indian cinema. The 67-year-old former Rajya Sabha MP who was conferred the Padma Bhushan in 2006, forayed into politics with the Praja Rajyam Party in 2008, which he later merged with the Indian National Congress.

Regarded as one of the most influential Telugu artists, Chiranjeevi also served as the Union minister of tourism from 2012 and 2014. Opening to star-studded performances by Varun Dhawan, Kartik Aaryan and Sara Ali Khan, among others, in its 53rd edition, IFFI will have several firsts.

The IFFI Film Bazaar, a platform that facilitates meetings between film writers and producers will take a leaf out of the Marche Du Cannes, where India was the Country in Focus, and will include 40 pavilions from countries like Russia, France and Dubai, apart from Indian states like Bihar, Punjab, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.

“India is a country full of stories. No other country can offer such stories and also the manpower, which is skilled and less expensive. . . The festival also serves as a major platform for regional filmmakers to showcase their work. ‘RRR’, a regional film, has become an international film. The movie has not only done business but has also showcased the power of Indian storytelling,”

Thakur said, narrating an instance where Tim Watts, assistant minister for foreign affairs of Australia, said he watched ‘RRR’ with English subtitles. Thakur said 40% of films showcased at the festival are either directed or fronted by women.