Panaji: Oscar-winning Hollywood actress Susan Sarandon on Wednesday candidly confessed that as an American, she was "sad and ashamed" because of her lack of exposure to global cinema. Sarandon was speaking after inaugurating the 44th edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Panaji on Wednesday. "I feel sad and ashamed as an American I have seen so few foreign films. India has produced so many films and (has a) rich history of cinema," said Sarandon. The 67-year-old actress who was also a United Nations goodwill ambassador said that she was "looking forward to meeting artists and seeing films at the film festival. Film has ability to broaden horizons and see what makes people laugh and cry in other countries," the Hollywood star said.

The 10-day IFFI opened with legendary Waheeda Rehman getting the inaugural centenary film award and Hollywood star Susan Sarandon adding the extra glamour as the guest of honour. The festival also feted Oscar-winning Czech filmmaker Jiri Menzel with its prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award, which was given to Menzel by Union Information and Broadcasting minister Manish Tewari. Bollywood diva Rekha, singer Asha Bhosle, Tamil superstar Kamal Hassan, actress Rani Mukerjee, 'Sholay' helmer Ramesh Sippy, newcomers Huma Qureshi and Alia Bhatt were present to lend star power to the ceremony.

The two-hour-long cultural extravaganza started with a retrospective on 100 years of cinema through a special choreography by Kathak exponent Birju Maharaj. His dance troupe commenced the performance with music from the golden era of cinema like 'Mohe Panghat Pe', 'Thare Rahiyo' followed by songs of modern era 'Dil Toh Pagal Hai' and 'Dhai Sham Rok Lai'. Later, Maharaj also presented a magnificent jugalbandi with Sitar maestro Ustad Nishat Khan. IFFI also witnessed artistes from Iran and America sharing the same stage together with filmmaker Majid Majidi and Sarandon gracing the occasion together.