IANS

Legendary actor Shashi Kapoor was at his charming best as chief guest at the inaugural of the 11-day International Film Festival of India (IFFI) here but stressed that he wasn't interested in doing any more films.

Asked if he would make a comeback to the movies, prompt came the reply: "Not in this life, probably in the next."

Kapoor was last seen in Ismail Merchant's directorial debut "Muhafiz" (In Custody). The romantic icon of yesteryears sure retains every bit of his famed sense of humour. One needs it to get through a festival that has more glitches than one cares to count.

The festival began Thursday in an open-air setting, which wasn't particularly conducive to the weather. Panaji, which is usually pleasant at this time of the year, is experiencing unseasonal mugginess with loads of moisture hanging in the air. But the considerate Kapoor kept his speech short and sweet and made no attempt to hog the limelight.

In the course of interviews, the actor spoke of his long association with Goa, dating back to the days when the state had no five-star hotels.

Kapoor, who has been to many festivals around the world, admitted that he had never been a chief guest in any one of them.

"I've always been a spectator, so it's a great honour to have been invited here in a very special capacity," he said.