West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Friday that the state would never bow its head before anyone, as she opened the 25th Kolkata International Film Festival. She praised Bengali filmmakers for carrying a message of unity in diversity over the decades.

A reply to Amit Shah

Banerjee said Bengal had given the country more award-winning filmmakers and more Nobel laureates than any other state, and claimed it led the country in scientific and cultural development. She did not name Amit Shah or the BJP, but her remarks were seen as a response to the Union Home Minister.

During a visit to the state in October, Shah, who is also the BJP’s national president, accused the TMC government of ruining Bengal, saying a state once known for its religious, scientific and cultural achievements had become known for “bomb-making factories”.

Banerjee said Bengal was not jealous of others and approached competition positively. “As long as we live we will fight and never bow our heads before anyone,” she said.

The festival

Banerjee praised filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, one of the guests, for speaking his mind when others were afraid to. Satyajit Ray’s ‘Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne’ opened the festival to mark 50 years since its release, and Germany is the focus country. Over eight days, 367 films from 76 countries will be shown, including 214 feature films and 153 short and documentary works.

See also: political leaders.

Originally published on 9 November 2019. Rewritten on 9 October 2026.

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