Amitabh Bachchan should be honoured with Bharat Ratna says Mamata; Actor quotes "questions raised on freedom of expression"

Kolkata, Dec 16: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, on Thursday (Dec 15) demanded that veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan should be honoured with the Bharat Ratna award for his contribution to Indian cinema.

 

 

 

 

While addressing the inaugural ceremony of the 28th International Kolkata Film Festival, she demanded that the veteran actor should be awarded with the highest civilian Award of the country. "Although not officially, but from Bengal, we will raise this demand to honour Amitabh Bacchan with the Bharat Ratna award for his contribution to Indian cinema for such a long time," she said.

 

 

 

 

 

Veteran Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan, on Thursday, inaugurated the 28th Kolkata International Film Festival. The 'Shehenshah' actor delivered a lengthy speech on British censorship, pre-independence films against oppressors, communalism, and societal harmony. During the speech Amitabh said, "The 1952 cinematograph act set out the stricter of censorship as it stands today upheld by the film certification board, but even now ladies and gentlemen, and I am sure my colleagues on stage will agree, questions are being raised on civil liberties and freedom of expression."

 

According to the official website, the 28th edition of the Kolkata International Film Festival organized by the Information and Cultural Affairs Department, Government of West Bengal is scheduled to be held between 15 - 22 December 2022 in Kolkata.