I've been at Film Bazaar (FB) and the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa this week. IFFI has been "taken over" by the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), and, as this happened at rather short notice, there was even more gochification than usual. Prakash Magdum, director of the National Film Archive of India, asked me why I didn't come to the IFFI opening ceremony, as a seat was reserved with my name on it, next to his. I was surprised, as I didn't receive the invitation. Should I be surprised? Film Bazaar, announced to open on November 20, had no 'opening' at all. Everywhere were whispers of instructions and interference from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, but official lips were zipped.

I was invited to join a jury lunch at the wondrous Mum's Kitchen, by Maxine Williamson, member of the festival's International Competition Jury, former Artistic Director, Asia Pacific Screen Awards, and currently Director of the Brisbane International Film Festival. It was a pleasure to meet Muzaffar Ali, who is jury chairman. Otherwise, of course, he is the 'Raja' of Kotwara, filmmaker (Umrao Jaan, Gaman) and connoisseur. I ask him what he is busy with these days. "I am concerned about my horse," he says.