29th KIFF: WB CM Mamata Banerjee fondly recalls Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan's contributions

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee acknowledged the absence of superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan at the 29th Kolkata International Film Festival's inaugural ceremony on December 5.

She mentioned that Amitabh Bachchan couldn't attend due to health reasons, while Shah Rukh Khan was occupied with promoting his daughter's debut film ‘The Archies’.

She emphasized the close connection between Tollywood and Bollywood, highlighting the deep affection and friendship uniting these film industries.

The opening ceremony of the film festival, which was held at the Netaji Indoor Stadium in the City of Joy, was attended by superstar Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor, Shatrughan Sinha, Sonakshi Sinha, Mahesh Bhatt and Sourav Ganguly.

This edition is scheduled until December 12, featuring 219 films from 39 countries across 23 venues in Kolkata. Among the selections, there are 72 feature films alongside 50 short films and documentaries.

The opening ceremony kicked off with a special performance by a group of artistes.

The guests added to the excitement, joining Mamata Banerjee in dancing to the festival's theme song. Salman captivated everyone with his iconic Dabangg hook step, drawing all the attention.

Speaking on the occasion, Anil Kapoor said, ‘Kolkata, for me, is not just a city. It's a sensory experience. A journey and a treasure trove of memories that have shaped my career and love for cinema.’

He also remembered Satyajit Ray's renowned film Nayak (1966), starring Uttam.

‘Uttam Kumar is a mahanayak,’ Anil added.

The Kolkata Film Festival was organised for the first time in 1995. But it was opened to the public in 2011.

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