Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan and Arijit Singh steal the show at the glitzy KIFF inauguration

The inauguration of the 28th Kolkata International Film Festival at the Netaji Indoor Stadium was an affair worth remembering. Nearly seven thousand people gathered to see their favourite stars under one roof. From icons like Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Mahesh Bhatt, Arijit Singh, Shatrughan Sinha and Sourav Ganguly to names like Prosenjit Chatterjee, Dev, Abir Chatterjee, Chanchal Chowdhury, Subhashree Ganguly, Mimi Chakraborty, Paoli, Sayantika Banerjee, Trina Saha, everyone was present at the event which started with a dance performance by Dona Ganguly and her troupe.
But the man who stole the show and put a smile on everyone’s faces was Shah Rukh Khan. The actor was the Guest of Honour for the evening and attempted to say a few words in Bengali. “I made Rani Mukerji write my speech in Bengali. Toh agar mein achha bolun to meri wah wah kijiyega. If I do it badly then it’s Rani’s fault,” said SRK as the audience broke into laughter.
“Prothome Kolkatay eshe Khub bhalo lagche. Didi, Dada, Kolkatar Jamaibabu, the great Shri Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Aunty, ederke ei manche dekhe Amar Khub bhalo lagche (First, I’m delighted to be here in Kolkata. I am pleased to see Didi, Dada, Kolkata’s son-in-law, the great Amitabh Bachchan, and Jaya Aunty on this stage). met them. I was also delighted to meet my beautiful friend Rani. I assure you the hospitality and love you will get in Kolkata will be most memorable,” he said.

Sourav Ganguly also took to the stage and said that KIIF is getting better with each passing year. “It's good to see that KIFF is back to its original self. Kudos to all the people who organise such a festival where films from all over the world are screened,” he shared.
Prosenjit Chatterjee echoed Sourav’s sentiments and shared, “Indeed KIFF is getting better with each passing year. I would urge everyone to be part of this celebration,” said the actor.
Amitabh Bachchan made a heartfelt speech at the event and also lit the ceremonial lamp along with other dignitaries and Rukmini Maitra who was the thali girl for the evening.
The audience was delighted when Big B started his speech in Bengali. He said, “Teen bochor ashte parini, apnader sanghe dekha korteh pari ni, amar bhison kosto hoeache. Dhonnobad Kolkata abar bhalobeshe amake dhakar jonney. Kolkata amar barir moton. Apnader jamaibabu jibon bhor apnader e thakbe.”