Actor firmly believes that cinema is an intrigrating factor across the globe. PHOTO: FILE
Praising the contributions of Bengali literature and cinema to the world, Indian actor Amitabh Bachchan said that cinema plays an important role in unifying and integrating in a “fast disintegrating world”.
Speaking at the inauguration of the 19th Kolkata International Film Festival, Bachchan conveyed to the audience the nostalgia he felt in returning to Kolkata.
He narrated the journey of Bengali cinema and highlighted its contributions to Indian cinema in his unmistakable baritone to a bewitched, packed house at the Netaji Indoor Stadium.
“Cinema to me, apart from being a great medium of entertainment, has always played the role of unifier and integrator. When we sit inside a darkened hall to see a film, we never ask the caste, the creed, the colour and religion of the person sitting next to us. Yet, we enjoy the same film, we laugh at the same jokes, we cry at the same emotions and we sing the same songs,” he said.
“There are very few institutions left in this fast disintegrating world that can boast of such integration and such an atmosphere (which cinema provides),” he added.
Occasionally lapsing into Bengali during his 20 minute opening speech, Bachchan took the audience through landmark events in the history of Bengali cinema so eloquently that even West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee conceded there was nothing left to say on the subject.
Bachchan also highlighted the importance of writers being instrumental in inspiring cinematic brilliance.
“The inspiration to most works of cinema has to me, been the contribution made by the written word. Writers, therefore, hold in my very limited opinion, the key to a finished and credible product,” he stated.
Screened across 13 venues in the city, the gala affair will witness around 3,000 delegates and 24 international guests. It will show 189 films from 63 countries over eight days.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 12th, 2013.
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