Come shoot in Bengal, Mamata tells filmmakers

Kolkata, Nov 10 (IANS) Describing West Bengal as the epitome of natural beauty with its picturesque landscape and beautiful people, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Monday urged the global film fraternity to use the locales for their films.

Perhaps taking a leaf out of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Independence Day 'Make In India' speech, Banerjee - speaking at the 20th Kolkata International Film Festival opening ceremony - projected her state as a potential destination for shooting movies from across the world.

"I urge filmmakers from Hollywood and Bollywood to come and shoot their films in Bengal - the cultural capital of the world. From beautiful sea beaches to hills and picturesque landscapes and of course the beautiful people, Bengal is the right destination for you all," she said.

"Much like the beaches in Goa, we have three new beaches in Bhor Sagar, Dheu Sagar and Roop Sagar," said Banerjee about the beaches in Sagar Island in the Ganges delta which have been christened by her.

The fest was attended by the who's who of film world including the likes of Amitabh Bachchan and his family, Shah Rukh Khan, yesteryear actresses Tanuja and Moushumi Chatterjee and Australian film maker Paul Cox among the foreign dignitaries.

Enumerating several social security schemes initiated by her government for film technicians, Banerjee also harped on the two upcoming film cities at Baruipur of South 24 Parganas district and Siliguri in Darjeeling district.

Thanking personally all the stars for their presence, she urged the Bachchan family to keep coming to the city every year.

"Amitji, I am grateful to you and your family for gracing the occasion but don't think it is enough that you have come here this year. You will have to come here every year along with your full family," said Banerjee.

Banerjee also said she will visits the sets of "Piku" - Amitabh's upcoming movie for which he has been shooting in the city.