IIFI 2009 organisers fight over Amitabh Bachchan

Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan is in the news for all the wrong reasons. He has become the bone of contention between the two organisers of the International Film Festival of India (IIFI) 2009.

The Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) alleged that the Directorate of Film Festival (DIFF) did not want to invite Amitabh to the festival. Rajendra Talak, member of ESG's Red Carpet Committee, claimed that ESG wanted to invite the Big B to the festival but DIFF was not interested.

Talak said that they felt Amitabh should grace the occasion but couldn"t do anything, as the final decision was taken DIFF. He added that ESG was not even allowed to recommend names to the Directorate.

On the other hand, Director of DFF, S M Khan denied the allegation of the EGS. He said that they didn"t receive any formal or informal proposal from EGS to invite the superstar to the festival. He added that they didn"t receive any request even though he was in touch with the EGS.

Amitabh had earlier expressed his eagerness to attend the IIFI. When asked why he is not attending this year"s festival, he said that the question should be asked to the people who organises it.

The IIFI 2009 will be held in Goa from November 23 to December 3.