Kolkata International Film Festival starts with a grand opening; gathering of famous film stars brightens the ceremony

Kolkata, November 10: The cultural capital of India, Kolkata has always made a significant contribution to Kolkata. The land of Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak, Mrinal Sen is hosting Kolkata International Film Festival since 1995 touching 23 years this time. The glorious film festival has experienced a grand opening on Friday in presence of cluster of film stars including Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol. Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was also present in the ceremony.

The KIFF celebrates cinema by bringing good world cinema to Kolkata and also taking it to the common mass. This year, there will be several new, innovative feature films which would be showcased at the festival.The festival commits to be all-inclusive and interactive. This festival also comes alive with various seminars, master–classes, exhibitions, filmy adda, meet the directors, paray paray cinema and many more events. The 23rd edition of the Kolkata International Film Festival will feature 142 movies from 65 countries in 19 categories in 12 locations from 10th November to 17th November.

“Ei film festival er bishesh onusthane uposthith thakte pere sammanito bodh korchi. (I feel honoured to be present at this special event). Sanskriti ebong oitihjjyor ei shohor (Kolkata is the city of culture). Shob cheye Mishti Shohor Kolkata (It is the sweetest city), the famous actor Shah Rukh Khansaid who is West Bengal’s brand ambassador.

The great actor Amitabh Bachchan also praised the love for music in Bengal. He said a song is mandatory in any movie here. Bengalis love the song even more than fish, he said. Another regional actress mentioned him as Kolkata’s son-in-law. Many regional stars including Paoli Dam, Prasenjit Chattopadhaya, Sandeep Ray, Goutam Ghosh were also present there.