Kolkata/IBNS: Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah was joined by several other film personalities to inaugurate the second edition of the French Film Festival in Kolkata last week.

The festival, which started last Saturday, is organised by Alliance Française du Bengale.

It was hosted by Didier Talpain, the Consulate General of France in Kolkata, and Nicolas Facino, Director of Alliance Française du Bengale.

Naseeruddin Shah at the inauguration. (Image by Avishek Mitra/IBNS)

Speaking at the festival, Naseeruddin Shah said, "I have a confession to make. I don't particularly enjoy being the chief guest because I am expected to say very wise and stirring things which I find myself incapable of doing.

"But there are two reasons for saying yes to this festival- first was my curiosity about French cinema and the second was that the function is to be held in this wonderful city which I love coming to."

"People from this city have put India on the world map of cinema," the veteran actor added lauding Kolkata.

Alongside Naseeruddin, veteran filmmakers Goutam Ghose, Anubhav Sinha, Cannes Award winning actress Anasuya Sengupta, senior Bengali actress Rituparna Sengupta, young Tollywood actress Rukmini were present at the inauguration.

The inauguration of the French Film Festival. (Image by Avishek Mitra/IBNS)

With over 80 films, the festival will continue till March 1.

The second edition of the French Film Festival will present the French Classics as well as some Indian films which were screened at the Cannes Film Festival.

Some animation films will also be screened.

(Reporting by Aaheli Chakraborty, images by Avishek Mitra/IBNS)