KIFF 2023 opens with Mamata Banerjee remembering Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan 2023 : Bollywood News

The 29th Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF) kicked off on December 5th with a glittering ceremony, but a bittersweet pang as two stalwarts were missed. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee fondly remembered Amitabh Bachchan, who couldn't attend due to health reasons, and Shah Rukh Khan, busy promoting his daughter Suhana Khan's debut film The Archies.

KIFF 2023 opens with Mamata Banerjee remembering Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan

Banerjee, speaking about the deep bond between Tollywood and Bollywood, highlighted the love and friendship between the industries. The opening ceremony at Netaji Indoor Stadium saw a dazzling array of celebrities like Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor, Shatrughan Sinha, Sonakshi Sinha, Mahesh Bhatt, and Sourav Ganguly gracing the occasion.

#WATCH | Kolkata: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, Film Director Mahesh Bhatt, former Indian cricketer Sourav Ganguly, actors Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor and Sonakshi Sinha shake a leg at the Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF).

(Source: KIFF Social Media) pic.twitter.com/EHOKtK9g3B

— ANI (@ANI) December 5, 2023

This edition of KIFF promises a vibrant cinematic journey, with 219 films from 39 countries across 23 Kolkata venues. The diverse selection includes 72 feature films, 50 short films, and documentaries, ensuring something for every cinephile. Tuesday's ceremony began with a captivating performance, followed by guests swaying to the festival's theme song alongside Mamata Banerjee.

With The Archies generating immense buzz and its December 7 release approaching, all eyes are on Agastya Nanda and Suhana Khan's cinematic launchpad. Meanwhile, KIFF continues its captivating run until December 12, celebrating the power of storytelling across borders and languages.

Also Read: Salman Khan says West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee’s residence is smaller than his: “She has given me a big complex”