Kolkata: In a splendid show of Bollywood camaraderie and the
mingling of politicians and celebrities, the 20th Kolkata International
Film Festival (KIFF) -- India's second oldest movie fest - was
inaugurated here Monday by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee,
Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan and superstar Shah Rukh Khan.
It was light, camera and action at the Netaji Indoor Stadium
here, where an awed audience watched the stars descend and also saw the
Indian screen giants raise a toast to the cinema buffs, in Bengali, for
their sheer interest in films and love for the film personalities.
Draped in uttariyas (stoles) gifted by Banerjee, the Bachchan
clan comprising Amitabh, his wife and veteran actress Jaya, son and
actor Abhishek and actress-daughter-in-law Aishwarya, seated on the
dais, set the evening on fire with their oomph, charisma and reiteration
of their links to Bengal.
It was light, camera and action at the Netaji Indoor Stadium here, where an awed audience watched the stars descend.
Strains of light classical music by percussionist Bickram Ghosh,
classical music vocalist Rashid Khan and singer Usha Uthup set the tune
for the magical evening as Big B and SRK hugged each other briefly.
Indian filmmakers Amol Palekar and Shoojit Sircar graced the occasion with a host of Bengali film actors.
Looking suave in black tuxedos, Big B and SRK were assisted by
the thali girl, actress Raima Sen in a bright red sari, as they lit the
ceremonial lamp with Banerjee.
Thunderous applause went up as Aishwarya and Jaya followed suit.
A regular fixture in big events of the state government, Shah
Rukh, also the state's brand ambassador, was greeted with loud cheers as
he urged international delegates to try the variety of sweets from
Bengal.
Attired in gold and black, Aishwarya, the former beauty queen
launched the official brochure while veteran actress Tanuja and Jaya
released a music CD of Bengali music.
Jaya, in a sophisticated white-beige sari, said she was delighted
to be there with the rest of the family and wished grand-daughter
Aaradhya would join them one day on the same stage.
"It has become a family event for us," she said.
Both Tanuja and Jaya, acknowledged that the Bengali audience is
"the best in the world" while a very sporting Aishwarya congratulated
the orchestra on their rousing performance and thanked the chief
minister in broken Bengali.
"Amader poribarer proti apnader ashirvad bhlaobashar jonyo onek
onek dhonyobaad (thank you for the love and affection that you have
showered on our family)," said Aishwarya.
Among the international delegates, award-winning Australian
filmmaker Paul Cox was present to witness the spectacle that he compared
to a soccer event.
"I thought I was in a soccer field," observed Cox, who was astounded at the size and scale of the ceremony.
"When you see a film on the big screen you realise the true power of the cinema," he noted.
Cox is part of the jury that decides the winner of KIFF's maiden competitive segment- the best international women directors.
Actor Irrfan Khan hoped the film festival "would inspire the new
generation to find their own voice and engage an universal audience".
"I think I should change my name to 'Dhhonyobad' (thank you in
Bengali)," said Irrfan, triggerring delirious roars from the spectators
when he uttered a few words in Bengali.
SRK, who had at last year's opening gala promised to talk in Bengali, did so spiritedly and with full gusto.
Present for the fourth opening ceremony, the superstar remarked
the event gets "bigger, better, flamboyant and more vibrant" each year.
After SRK's stress on the role of Indian cinema in uniting people
in a technology-driven world, Big B's thought-provoking speech on the
changing role of women in society, mirrored in cinema, perfectly rounded
off the evening.
Banerjee on her part expressed her desire to transform the
regional film industry into a world-class facility and bring Hollywood,
Bollywood and world cinema to Kolkata.
Boasting of a rich oeuvre of 137 films from 60 countries, the
fest will see 40 international delegates and 15 segments. There will be
31 Indian films, including 13 Bengali films. It concludes Nov 17.
