The year-long country-wide celebration to mark the Centenary of Indian Cinema, was inaugurated at Puducherry today. The Chief Minister N. Rangasamy, while inaugurating the three day festival, asked the film industry to produce more films which entertain people and also have good social themes. He also stressed that all films produced in the country should be preserved at the National Film Archives. Mr. Rangasamy announced that a Film Institute will be opened in Puducherry soon.

Renowned Tamil Film Director, Mr. Bharathiraaja, Chief Secretary, Mrs. M.Sathyavathy and the Director of Film Festivals, Shri R.K. Jain also participated in the inaugural function. Many landmark Indian films are being screened during the festival. A colourful exhibition showcasing the photographs, posters of classical films, prominent film production companies and premier cinema halls in the country, is being mounted at the venue. The event is jointly organized by the Directorate of Film Festivals and National Film Archive of India under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Department of Information and Publicity, Govt. of Puducherry.AIR Correspondent reports that Puducherry is the first state capital to host film festival as part of the centenary celebrations of Indian cinema.