Cinema is coming together of people, which has no language, religion and regional boundaries

Bengaluru, February 23: Opening up 10th edition of Bengaluru International Film Festival, Actress Kareena Kapoor Khan said that “Cinema is the coming together of people, which has no language, religion and regional boundaries.” 

In a ceremony marked by glitter and glamour, Bollywood star Kareena Kapoor Khan on Thursday declared the 10th edition of the weeklong Bengaluru International Film Festival (Biffes) open, on the steps of the Vidhana Soudha.

Addressing the opening ceremony of the Bengaluru International Film Festival Kareena Kapoor said that “Cinema is in my blood. It is my passion and it is food for the soul for me.”

 

Recounting the Kapoor family’s connection with Karnataka, especially her grandfather Raj Kapoor, she said, “My grandfather Raj Kapoor’s spirit is amongst us to night, blessing us all storytellers, directors to keep up the good work they are doing ... I am saying this not because of my presence, it is because of his (Raj Kapoor’s) love for Mysuru,” she said.

She went on to express her dream of acting in a Kannada film. “I don’t know the language, but I hope someday I will entertain in your language. May be in a film someday.”

Director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra of Rang De Basanti fame, who was at the inaugural, said, “I’m the son-in-law of Karnataka as my wife, P.S. Bharati, (who worked for Rang De Basanti as editor) is from Bengaluru. I have not seen a government which is putting its heart and soul, besides support and patronage,” he said.

Describing cinema as a “family”, renowned Iranian actor Fatemeh Motamed-Arya said, “Wherever there is cinema, we can see peace and humanity.”

Over the next eight days, 200 films from 68 countries will be screened as part of the festival, besides paying homage to greats who passed away in the last one year, including veteran actor Shashi Kapoor.