Bachchan family, Shah Rukh Khan to dazzle Kolkata Film Festival inauguration

The who's who of Bollywood, including Amitabh Bachchan, his wife Jaya, son Abhishek and daughter-in-law Aishwarya, Shahrukh Khan, Deepika Padukone and Irrfan Khan, will attend the star-studded inauguration of the Kolkata Film Festival on Monday.

Announcing this, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today 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, actor Irrfan Khan and actress 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.