Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray was remembered at the opening ceremony of the 43rd International Film Festival of India here Tuesday.

Inaugurating the 10-day event, actor Akshay Kumar recalled his interactions with the rightwing political leader, who died Saturday following an illness in Mumbai.

"Thackeray used to say: 'I'm a mass leader but you are the artiste. You draw crowds', " an emotional Akshay said.

The festival will open with the screening of Hollywood film "The Life of Pi".