PANAJI: Government has appointed noted film-maker and director Rajendra Talak as the vice-chairman of the Entertainment Society of Goa. Talak who has been a part of the ESG since long, has been elevated.
He said, “I have been given additional responsibility by being appointed as the vice-chairman. Responsibilities were always there as I have been a part of the ESG committee for nearly 10 years.”
Talak’s appointment comes ahead of the 47th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) which begins on November 20.
He said, “I will try my best to maintain discipline and put things in place as far as the festival is concerned. And being a film-maker, it would definitely help me in doing it.”
The office of ESG vice-chairman was lying vacant since October 5, when the state government relieved former BJP MLA Damodar Naik from the post to allow him completely devote himself for the party work for the forthcoming assembly election.
Meanwhile, the Federation of Film Fraternity of Goa (FFFG) has opposed the appointment, calling him a controversial film maker. In a statement, FFFG vice-president Laxmikant Shetgaonkar said, “We urge the Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar to immediately dissolve the entire general body of ESG and reconstitute the same with persons who have no selfish and ulterior motives and who will work for betterment of film fraternity of Goa.”