Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 19 (IANS) Malayalam superstar Mammootty is to be the chief guest at the closing ceremony of the 40th International Film Festival of India in Goa.

The 11-day festival is the biggest annual film event in South Asia and gets underway in Goa from Nov 23. Mammootty would grace the occasion on Dec 3.

Speaking to IANS, Mammootty said he was very elated as this is the first time that an actor from Malayalam films has been given this honour.

'This time I will certainly be there, because the year before last I was also invited but due to prior shooting commitments I could not accept it. This time though I am busy completing my film, I will reach there on the third of December,' said Mammootty, who is shooting at Ottapalam for his new film 'Dhrona'.

Incidentally, one of his films 'Kuttishrank' directed by award-winning director Shaji Karun is being screened in the Indian Panorama section.