Indian International Film festival is a government organized function. Government can't dole out big money to the dignitaries to grace the occasion. Buchans, Khans and Kapoors of the movie world do not come cheap. Their participation fees must be too high to fit into the government's budget. So IIFF will have to make do with the presence of a few ministers, bureaucrats, and some Khiladi actors. Had it been show backed by sponsorship from underworld dons and industrialist or organized by private TV channels then the place would have been buzzing with all the top shots of movie world.

Seems so

First thing, Akshay Kumar is a big star. HE HAS COME UP IN A BIG WAY , purely by hard work.
He has also promoted many couses connected to film industry.
Today he has aquired enough influence out side film industry too.
Please tolarate his weight.
After all he is not that bad compare to some boring film directors and govet. officials.

In the film industry he is a respected person and nothing wrong with him opening the festival

Ha ha ha ha ha pity it is .........!!