Kolkata: As many as 189 films from 60 countries will be screened at the 18th Kolkata Film Festival, which will be inaugurated by Bollywood superstars Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan Nov 10.
Iranian film Nader and Simin: A separation directed by Azgarh Faradi will be the opening film of the eight-day festival ending Nov 17, said the organisers at a media meet on Friday.
Courtesy: ibn live
Tributes would be paid to first bollywood superstar Rajesh Khanna, who died earlier this year. “Anand“, the evergreen movie featuring Rajesh Khanna in the role of an ever-smiling cancer patient, would be screened.
Bengali movie star Koel Mullick will be the thali girl for the second consecutive year at the opening, said her father and KFF chairperson actor Ranjit Mullick.
“The festival has a budget of Rs.3 crore,” said state information and culture secretary Nandini Chakraborty. However, she kept mum when asked about the contribution of the state government and the sponsors.
Centenary tributes would be paid to Italian movie director Michelangelo Antonioni, 13 of whose creations – five features and eight documentaries – would be showcased at the festival, the country’s second oldest.
It is the second time that the regime of West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee is organising the film fest.
Like last year, the festival will kick off with a gala inaugural ceremony at the Netaji Indoor Stadium.
The Calcutta-Kolkata section will showcase eight feature films giving a wider window to understand the city.
IANS
