There was more glitter in India on Monday as film buffs gathered in that country's western state of Goa for the 40th International Film Festival of India. And for the opening film, organizers chose the Chinese film Wheat, a historical drama set in 260 B.C.

Veteran Bollywood actor Waheeda Rehman inaugurated the ten-day festival with the lighting of the traditional oil lamp.

India's Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Ambika Soni and local officials were also present.

Often referred to as India's Cannes for its mix of world and Indian cinema, the IFFI-2009 will offer nearly 300 films.

The IFFI will also roll out a special segment, Golden Jubilee in Indian Cinema.

India has looked to build a film festival along the lines of Cannes, turning to tourist hub Goa to provide a picturesque backdrop for the celebration of cinema.

But the festival has been criticized in the past for ignoring regional language films from across the country.

Bollywood forms a part of the Indian section in the festival, where popular films such as Dev.D and Oye Lucky Lucky Oye, will also be screened.

(CCTV.com November 25, 2009)