The 42nd International Film Festival of India (IFFI) kicked off Wednesday in a star-studded function held at Ravindra Bhavan in Margao.

From the time since the festival was shifted to Goa from Delhi, the inauguration has been held in Margao instead of the capital city.

The opening, which was scheduled to begin at 5pm, was however delayed by 45 minutes as the chief guest-Shahrukh Khan's flight arrived late.

Khan, reading out contents from his prepared speech, appealed to fight feudal institutions and fascisms through cinema to preserve the sovereignty of the country.

"Filmmakers should take a responsible role in the nation building. Don't be afraid of systems that kill our nation. Don't be afraid of forces that will finally kill the world, " Khan said.

He apologized, winding up his talk, for having dressed in a suit and ‘not in a Bermuda to match with the profile of the tourist destination Goa'.

Information & Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni, also present for the function, termed the event as people's festival.

"We want to make this festival as people's international film festival of India, " Soni said.

Singing praises that India has a larger presence in the world's cinema industry, Soni said that Indian marketing system should be enhanced in terms of buying and selling Indian and international films.

Save Old Goa Action Committee members protested with black flags near the venue demanding to hold the film festival either before Nov 23 or Dec 3 as it affects the arrangements of the novenas and the feast.

The Union minister, in her speech, said she would consider the request.

Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, who represents Margao constituency, repeatedly announced that his people were contented over shifting the inaugural venue.

The Consul of Bordeaux, a 90-minute film directed by Joao Correa and Francisco Manso, opened the festival.

The festival will showcase the best of Indian cinematic excellence. Presenting these pearls, the Indian Panorama will be opened with the screening of "Urumi' and will host Indian movies like "Ranjana Ami Ar Asbo Na', ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara' and many more.

The festival would also include Retrospective Section, 3D and animation movies as well as screening movies from across the world. There would also be a special ‘Master Class' session to explain nuances by cinema professionals to the session guests.

A landmark year for IFFI-2011 and the Indian Film fraternity, the festival this year will showcase over 100 movies from 65 countries of world and will see various firsts which is the stepping stone of IFFI's vision to make the festival the best in the world.