Make films in Bengal, Mamata tells directors

Saturday evening saw a packed audience at the Netaji Indoor Stadium applauding Kolkata’s annual celebration of cinema in the presence of Bollywood and Tollywood stars and presided over by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

While Bengal’s “jamai babu” Bachchan complimented Banerjee as “an exceptional lady” with “great humanism”, Banerjee said that Big B “has no substitute” and that his presence is required at other editions of KIFF in the future. The fest – to run from November 14 to November 21 this year – will showcase 149 films by 137 directors from 61 countries. Inviting Hollywood and Bollywood directors to make films in Bengal, the CM said that “Tollywood has a big heart”.

Recounting his stay in Kolkata in the 60s, Bachchan said that “Every Bengali is an institution by himself”. He also recounted the journey of films made in Bengal and mentioned how greats like PC Baruah, Devaki Bose, Pahari Sanyal, Raichand Boral, Kanan Devi, KL Saigal and the iconic New theatres made an impact on Indian cinema in the early years.

The inaugural event also featured an innovative musical performance by “Maestros of Bengal”. “A fantastic rendition, Kolkata-The Home and the World, by Bickram Ghosh, Rashid Khan, Tejendra Narayan Majumder, George Brooks, Taufiq Qureshi, Shinjini Kulkarni and others added a unique touch of melody to the occasion” summed up the Chief Minister.

Legendary actors like  Sharmila Tagore, Chairperson of the Jury this year, Satyajit Ray’s favourite heroine Madhabi Mukherjee, Bollywood actress Vidya Balan, Jaya Bachchan  and Moushumi Chatterjee were present at the inaugural and received glowing praises from the Chief Minister. Tolly actors like Dipankar Dey, Ranjit Mullick were also present on the occasion. “Nowhere else in the world is a film festival inaugurated in the presence of an audience of about 15 thousand people. This is a result of our effort to take the joy of cinema to the masses”, said Banerjee on her Facebook page.

This year, for the second time, the KIFF is all set to take on a competitive avatar. The Royal Bengal Tiger Trophy will be awarded to the Best Film and the Best Director. This competition focuses on films directed by women.

There are fifteen sections in the festival including the competitive section. For the first time this year, the festival authorities will have a Critics award for the best Indian language film. The Great Master section will showcase 6 films by the legendary director, Jean Renoir. A segment on sports-based films will feature popular Indian films like Bhaag Milkha Bhaag and Kony.