Mumbai: Bollywood livewire sensation Ranveer Singh grabbed centre stage at the Marrakech International Film Festival's opening night on Friday night, entertaining attendees with dancing and a spontaneous rap session as he accepted an homage award.
One of Bollywood's highest-paid performers, the "Gully Boy" and "83" star leapt onto the stage during the opening ceremony and performed one of his signature energy dances, reports Deadline.
"The worst time is now. There is a lot of misery and pain around me when I glance around. I believe that the finest thing I can do in my role as an entertainer is to ease people's burdens "Singh stated as he accepted the Etoile d'Or award from Marrakech.
Indian cinema has long been honoured in Marrakech. In the past, the festival has recognised Aamir Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Amitabh Bachchan. In 2012, the festival aired a special sidebar to commemorate 100 years of Indian cinema.
An open-air showing of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 2015 multi-award-winning 18th costume drama Bajirao Mastani, in which the actor played one of his breakthrough parts, was introduced by Ranveer after his participation at the official opening ceremony in Marrakech's renowned Jemaa El Fna Square.
He performed the Gully Boy rap song for the audience before starting to dance once more.
If you put me on a stage with a microphone, I'll feel obliged to perform for you--sing a song, dance for you, show you a movie, or tell you a tale.
The Jury of the Competition also took the stage at the opening ceremony. The jury, which also includes British actress Vanessa Kirby, German actor Diane Kruger, Australian director Justin Kurzel, Lebanese director and actor Nadine Labaki, Moroccan director La-la Marrakchi, and French actor Tahar Rahim, is presided over by Oscar-winning Italian director Paolo Sorrentino.
"Difficult circumstances" prevented previously confirmed jury members Danish director Susanne Bier and American actor and producer Oscar Isaac from participating, said the ceremony host Nabila Kilani.
The primary competition this year will consist of 14 first- and second-run movies, including the Oscar-nominated Portuguese picture Alma Viva, the Moroccan entrant The Blue Caftan, and the hotly-anticipated Indonesian Venice entry Autobiography.
Guillermo Del Toro's Pinocchio served as the festival's opening film on Friday night, but the filmmaker was not present.
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