Shahrukh,Sharmila inaugurate Kolkata Film Festival

History of our literature and films cannot be written,or ever begin without the state of West Bengal: SRK.

Kolkata Film Festival (KFF),the second oldest international film fest in India,had a glamourous inauguration this evening with Shahrukh Khan and Sharmila Tagore doing the honours,but regulars such as Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee,Mrinal Sen and Soumitra Chatterjee stayed away.

“I believe that the history of our arts,literature,poetry and films cannot be written,or ever begin without the state of West Bengal,” said the ‘King Khan’ after inaugurating the eight-day cultural fest where around 150 films from 50 countries would be screened.

Yesteryear’s glamour queen Sharmila said that Kolkata is probably the only city where people still stand in long queues to watch good films.

Story continues below this ad

Stating that though she shifted to Mumbai,she had never lost touch with Kolkata. “I keep coming back to work with Bengali directors.”

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said,”Kolkata is the capital of our cultural activities. We want to help films and cultural activities in Bengal.”

Banerjee,who described the festival as a salute to Tollywood,Bollywood and Hollywood said that KFF has grown bigger this year,referring to the shifting of the venue from cultural complex Nandan to the Netaji Indoor Stadium after 16 years to accommodate more people.

Former chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee,who was personally invited by Banerjee had cited prior engagements for his absence.

Story continues below this ad

Filmmaker Mrinal Sen said that he was unwell and could not attend.

Thespian Soumitra Chatterjee said he had been removed from the chairmanship of the film festival committee without his knowledge. “So what will I be doing there?”

Click here to follow Screen Digital on YouTube and stay updated with the latest from the world of cinema.