Kolkata Film Festival which is all set to take off on Monday with see a bevy of Bollywood stars in attendance. Stars like Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya, son Abhishek and daughter-in-law Aishwarya, Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone and Irrfan Khan, will be in attendance at the inauguration of the festival.
Announcing this, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, “I have been telling him (Amitabh Bachchan) every time to come with his full family and this time they all are coming. He, himself is paying for his flight tickets and hotel expenses. He is a real gentleman. We are very happy that he is coming with full family.” She said that superstar SRK, his ‘Happy New Year’ co-star Deepika, actors Irrfan Khan and Tanuja, who has acted in Bengali and Hindi films, would also be present in the inaugural at Netaji Indoor Stadium.
Adding an international touch would be award-winning Australian filmmaker Paul Cox, who is leading the festival jury.
An invitation has also been sent to actor Kamal Haasan, who was there at last year’s event, but there has been no response from his side, Banerjee said.
Eminent Hindi film director Farah Khan would be there at the closing ceremony of the film fest.
“I have heard that a Hollywood film crew is also coming to shoot in Bengal. If they are here I will invite them too,” the CM said adding that this time they are organising the event sans any sponsorship.
She also announced that the government would bear the premium of mediclaim and personal accidental insurance for artistes and technicians working in the television industry.
