Panaji: The 37th International Film Fesitval of India began here on Thursday amidst unprecedented security measures following fears of a possible terrorist strike at the emerging film city.

With Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil saying that coastal belts of the country are facing threats of terrorist attacks and a secret Goa Police dossier talking about "specific" intelligence inputs that the "next target" could be the tourism paradise, the local authorities left nothing to chance to make the event a peaceful one. Three quick reaction teams have been deployed to prevent any sabotage of the showcase event that got under way with the screening of the Spanish auteur Pedro Almodovar's award-winning film `Volver.' Besides, there are platoons of Rapid Action Force and CISF deputed strategically.

"Our mainstay is tourism, and we cannot afford to have any incident. Security concerns are paramount, and there cannot be any laxity about it. We cannot take any risk," Goa Chief Secretary J.P. Singh said hours before the gala opening ceremony showcasing Indian cinema that was followed by Cannes Award winner "Volver."

Even as the media complained of harassment at the hands of the security personnel, platoons of Central security forces have been deployed in Panaji, particularly around the main festival venues of Kala Academy and INOX Multiplex. The police sources confirmed there were intelligence inputs that ISI-backed terrorist groups might target the State which is at the peak of the tourist season.

Due to organisation mess-up, the festival started more than 45 minutes late. And when it did, it had more Indian than international flavour. Seasoned actor-director Shashi Kapoor inaugurated the festival that will feature more than 200 films, and `Parineeta' girl Vidya Balan helped in lighting the traditional lamp. However, there was not a trace of top foreign talent at the festival. The authorities, who have been vocal about a Prithviraj Kapoor retrospective featuring films like `Mughal-e-Azam' and `Sikandar', had no idea about the proposed retrospective on Al Pacino. `Godfather' was among the films initially slotted for screening.

Bollywood held sway over the festival with actors Priyanka Chopra and Salman Khan, etc., giving a performance to the theme song of the festival, "Bharat ki Cinema Ki Hai Jai Jaikaar." The Shanker-Ehsaan-Loy song, penned by Javed Akhtar, was earlier launched at an audio-video presentation marred by the poor quality of the system leading to protests from the press.