An impressive, star-studded gathering at the inauguration of the 28th Kolkata International Film Festival here on Thursday evening was taken by a bit of surprise, when Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan, usually known for dodging political issues, suddenly referred to issues like “civil liberties” and “freedom of expression”.
Then the 80-year-old, known to steer clear of controversies, made a rare comment on the politically sensitive issue of civil liberties and freedom of expression.
“Even now, and I’m sure my colleagues on stage would agree questions are being raised on civil liberties and freedom of expression,” Mr Bachchan said.
Sharing the dais with him was Shah Rukh Khan, who movie “Pathaan” has become the latest target of the ‘boycott club’.
In his address, Mr Khan had sent out a message of positivity. On the toxic culture of social media, he said it is “driven by a certain narrowness of view that limits human nature to its baser self”.
“I read somewhere that negativity increases social media consumption and thereby increases its commercial value as well. Such pursuits enclose the collective narrative, making it divisive and destructive”
“We are all happy and I am the happiest. And I have no qualms in saying, that no matter what the world does, me and you, and all positive people in the world are alive,” he had added.
Mr Bachchan had hailed his speech, saying, “I salute your artistic temperament that embraces plurality and equality”.
The film fest in Kolkata – known to be a city of enthusiastic cine-goers — has started in the wake of the controversy over “The Kashmir files” that overshadowed the International Film Festival at Goa.
He eventually was backed up by the jury, who said the entire jury knew of and agreed with what Mr Lapid said about the movie.
Israeli film-maker Nadav Lapid, who was part of the jury, said the jury felt the “The Kashmir Files” was a “vulgar movie” and channelled “propaganda”. His comments were slammed from all quarters, including Israeli envoy to India Naor Gilon.
Veteran Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan, on Thursday, inaugurated the 28th Kolkata International Film Festival.