Actress Aishwarya Rai inaugurated the CII India Pavilion at the annual Cannes Film Festival, on Thursday evening. Inaugurating the Confederation of Indian Industry pavilion, she said that it would help in creating awareness about Indian films globally.
"I'm proud to be here with the India pavilion, with our people and our films, to increase awareness about our industry and what we have to offer."
On the occasion, Aishwarya also announced that Goa would be the new and permanent venue for the India International Film Festival. "We are having our festival in Goa, so it is a wonderful moment for us," she said, addressing the participants and media present on the occasion.
She said the Indian film industry should be promoted internationally, and efforts such as the CII India Pavilion at Cannes are an important step towards that endeavour.
In addition to officially opening the CII India Pavilion for its activities at Cannes this year, the actress also unwrapped CII's new magazine, Film India Worldwide, aimed at promoting the Indian film industry globally. She features on the cover of the first edition.
Neelam Kapur, director, Indian International Film Festival, and Bobby Bedi, CII National Entertainment Committee member and film producer, were also present.
