The International Film Festival of India (IFFI) opened at at Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium in Goa's Panaji on November 20 amid much fanfare as actors including, Shah Rukh Khan, Sridevi, Janhvi Kapoor, Shahid Kapoor, Radhika Apte and Rajkummar Rao along with Information and Broadcast minister Smriti Irani, were present at the ceremony. The ceremony opened with an energetic dance performance towards the end of which Shah Rukh made an entry on stage and struck his signature pose. After his performance, The 52-year-old King of Bollywood Shah rukh, , addressed the audience and said that stories and films brought people together.

Thank you @iamsrk for your gracious presence at @IFFIGoa and giving such an elegant opening to #IFFI2017. pic.twitter.com/8G3hjDRbuj

— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) November 20, 2017

It is our privilege to have Majid Majidi’s first Indian film ‘Beyond the Clouds’ open at #IFFI2017. pic.twitter.com/9WontgQiWU

— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) November 20, 2017

There is a word in Sanskrit Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. It means bringing the world together like a family. I believe no matter what your language, no matter what country your story comes from and no matter what ideologies, storytelling and listening should be a familial experience," Shah Rukh said

Thankful to @shahidkapoor for sharing his vision on the future of Cinema at #IFFI2017. pic.twitter.com/k5S368vxjE

— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) November 20, 2017

In what seemed like an oblique reference to the ongoing controversy over Sanjay Leela Bhansali's ambitious project Padmavati, SRK said: "Familial experience binds us all together, makes relationships stronger even in the face of dissent and discussion as it happens in a family, instead of tearing us apart." At the ceremony, Shah Rukh interacted with Smriti Irani as the minister posted pictures on Twitter. In her address, Irani said: "It is our endeavour on behalf of the government of India and the government of Goa that we invite filmmakers from across the world to this land of stories."