by Subhash K Jha

This year's film festival, to be held in Goa, promises to be different from other years. The opening act, for one, is going to be done by Urmila Matondkar. Normally the festival's organizers invite a classical exponent to do the needful.

"This time I suppose they decided to be different," laughs Urmila.

"I've been invited to open the festival with a tribute to Hindi-film heroines down the decades. I'll probably start with Madhubala's Pyar kiya to darkna kya in Mughal-e-Azam, go through the whole 1960s , 70s , and 90s and finally stop in the present. It's an exhausting but exhilarating thought."

Urmila has already started work on her grand act at the festival which will eventuate on November 24.

"I've started sifting through the songs and dances. Of course there will be a Sridevi and Madhuri song. I also want a numbers each from Pakeezah and Umrao Jaan. And I must have at least one Sanjay Leela Bhansali song from Devdas."

" I'm very excited because this performance will give me a chance to relive the golden moments of Indian cinema. I remember when I had paid a similar tribute to Marathi cinema at the prestigious Ganesha Film Festival in Pune, the impact was quite something. I hope my opening act at the film festival will be equally appreciated."