Daijiworld Media Network - Entertainment

Mumbai, Dec 10: Actor Amitabh Bachchan did so last year and Aamir Khan means to follow through this year by paying his travel costs to and from the Chennai International Film Festival (CIFF). Aamir Khan accepted their request to grace the opening of the festival and apparently he informed the organising committee members that he would be there with his assistants at his own expenses and all he requested was the address of  the hotel they had booked for his stay as well as the time that he was expected to arrive at.

Actress Suhasini Mani Ratnam had revealed that it had been hard to pin down the actor and gain a positive reply from for his presence at the CIFF. Apparently she had pursued Aamir for this event for three years. She added that the organising team was grateful to Aamir Khan for taking the initiative to pay for the travel expenses of his team as well as himself. Amitabh Bachchan reportedly donated Rs 11 lakhs towards the fest wherein this year the films being screened include those that have come from Cannes, Berlin, Venice, France and Japan.

In its fourth year, the CIFF looks forward to honouring some of the best Tamil Films such as Soodhu Kavvum, Aadhalal Kadhal Seiveer, Haridas and Kumki. The winning film will rewarded with Rs. 6 lakhs. Actress and renowned dancer Shobhana, it is said, will be performing at the inauguration ceremony along with Swarnamlya and singer Karthik. Actor Mohanlal will be present for the closing ceremony and will bestow the 'Amitabh Bachchan Youth Icon Award' to composer Anirudh Ravichander, who will also perform at the closing ceremony.