IANS

The organisers of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) had grandly announced a retrospective of enigmatic American actor Al Pacino but the list was suddenly dropped from the fest.

In the promised line-up of films were "Serpico", "Scarface" and "Godfather". But that list is now out of the IFFI frame, with no satisfactory explanations from the officials.

"We did not receive the package," was all that a senior functionary was willing to say.

But Pacino isn't the only name that has gone missing from Goa. Om Puri, whose name was repeatedly mentioned as one of the probable guests, has already said he would not be undertaking the short Mumbai-Goa trip.

Manisha Koirala, who was to address a press conference Friday, also decided to play truant. The temperamental Bollywood actress is scheduled to participate in a Masterclass programme revolving around Jane Campion, maker of the Oscar-winning film "The Piano".

Bipasha Basu was earlier supposed to join Priyanka Chopra at the official pre-festival press meet but she too chose to stay away. Expect the retinue of 'missing' stars to grow as the festival wears on.