Kabir Bedi's booming voice subdued chaotic babble from a group of photographers at the inauguration ceremony of the 40th edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) here Monday.

Bedi, who along with actress Divya Dutta was the compere for the function held at the Dinanath Mangeshkar auditorium at the Kala Academy complex, had to use his voice to good effect, in order to silence the voluble squabbling by photographers, jostling for vantage space near the stage.

"Can we have some silence please! Yeh kaun bol raha hai. Aap tameez rakhiye, you are on national television, " Bedi said in his best baritone, as his narrative on Goa and the IFFI was interrupted by the noise.

Once the photographers were cowed down into silence, Bedi went on with his compering chore.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni, Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, legendary actress Waheeda Rehman and actress Asin were also present on the occasion.

This year's IFFI was inaugurated with the Chinese historic film "Wheat" and will screen nearly 300 films from almost 50 countries.