Youths of Goa should participate as actors: Pooja

"Goans can call the film festivals happening in the state as their own only when they will be able to participate as part of the festivals," she told a press conference in the backdrop of South Asian Film Festival (SAFF) here.

"We need youths of Goa to participate more as actors, filmmakers, writers and editors," said Pooja, addressing media in presence of her producer father Mahesh Bhatt, Goa Chief Minister Digamber Kamat, Goa legislative assembly speaker Pratapsingh Rane and SAFF secretary General, Rahul Barua.

"I don't want Goans to be mere spectators. I wish to see them as filmmakers," she said.
Goa has been hosting International Film Festival of India since 2004, and for last two years, the state has become a destination for the SAFF, which earlier used to be organised in Delhi. The four-day-long festival begins June 26.

"As a venue, Goa will always remain unparalleled. Who does not want to come to Goa? Goa and films is wonderful combination but average Goans have to participate more whether it is Konkani, Hindi or film in any other language," she said.

Filmmaker Pankaj Parashar said that the state government should clear the land proposal for film institute pending for last over a decade.

"I have been following up the matter and I hope now government will clear it expeditiously," he said.