Hema Sardesai not to perform at IFFI Panaji (PTI): Despite initial confirmation, organisers of International Film Festival of India (IFFI) on Wednesday declared that Goa's prominent artist Hema Sardesai would not be performing at the event beginning on November 23.
"We had shortlisted Hema Sardesai as a prominent artist for two concerts during IFFI, but she will not be able to make it," Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) organising committee president Vishnu Wagh told PTI. He attributed the cancellation to "some differences between the event management agency and the artist." "We had even chalked out a third concert for her considering her popularity in the state," he said. However, Hema refused to comment on the issue. The local media reported that the singer had differences with IFFI organisers, especially ESG. "I was pained to see my name tossed up by some miscreant at various press conferences of the programme committee as well as ESG. This was done without even someone having bothered to check whether I was available to perform at the cultural programmes during the festival," the artist was quoted by a leading state daily. More at: http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/009200711211111.htm ~(^^)~ Avelino
