Veteran actor and Padma Bhushan recipient Mithun Chakraborty has publicly expressed his disappointment after being left out of the Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF) guest list. The 76-year-old actor, who is also a prominent BJP leader, made these remarks while speaking to the media in Kolkata on August 13, 2026. He attended a meeting at Nandan with West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari regarding the birth centenary celebrations of Bengali cinema legend Uttam Kumar. However, he pointed out that despite being present for that discussion, he did not receive an official invitation to the film festival itself.
Chakraborty did not hide his disappointment and used sharp sarcasm to question the organizers’ decision. He suggested that his exclusion might be because the organizers consider him a “small artist.” He also drew a clear comparison between the lack of invite from his home state and an upcoming invitation to a film festival in Moscow.
“I wasn’t invited to the Film Festival. I am going to Moscow now; perhaps they will invite me. They are inviting me to the Moscow Film Festival… Yet, here in Bengal, I wasn’t invited.”
The ‘Disco Dancer’ actor further added in Hindi, “Main bahut chhota artist hoon (I’m a very small artist), you see, so they don’t invite me.” He then took a dig at the organizers by pointing out that people with no connection to Bengal frequently receive invitations to the state’s premier film event.
“They invite all these big names from outside, people who have absolutely nothing to do with Bengal. Tell me, why shouldn’t I say it? I’m not afraid of anyone. Why shouldn’t I speak? I have nothing to be afraid of.”
The Context of Uttam Kumar’s Centenary
The actor’s comments came against the backdrop of preparations for a year-long programme to mark the 100th birth anniversary of Uttam Kumar, who is widely revered as the “Mahanayak” of Bengali cinema. Born as Arun Kumar Chatterjee on September 3, 1926, Uttam Kumar remains one of the most influential figures in Indian cinema.
The meeting at Nandan was organized by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari to gather suggestions from the film fraternity on how to structure the centenary celebrations. Several prominent figures from the Bengali film industry attended the meeting, including Prosenjit Chatterjee, Rudranil Ghosh, Arindam Sil, Srijit Mukherji, Kanchan Mallick, and others.
Director and actor Goutam Ghose described the meeting as significant. He mentioned that the Chief Minister announced the date for the next film festival, which is scheduled to begin on December 16 this year. Actor Jisshu Sengupta confirmed that participants were asked to offer suggestions for the celebrations, and the festival is expected to take place in December.
Abir Chatterjee thanked the Chief Minister for planning a year-long celebration for the legendary actor. Veteran actress Mamata Shankar also welcomed the initiative, saying that despite differences, everyone should think about the betterment of the film industry.
BJP leader Roopa Ganguly, who is also a member of the organizing committee, said the government is planning the event with great detail and is actively seeking ideas from everyone to highlight Uttam Kumar’s work ethic and rise to stardom.
The Moscow Film Festival Invitation
While expressing his displeasure over the Kolkata snub, Mithun Chakraborty highlighted that he has been invited to the Moscow Film Festival. He is scheduled to travel to Russia soon. This contrast between international recognition and local exclusion seemed to be at the heart of his disappointment.
The actor, who started his film career in 1976 with Mrinal Sen’s Mrigaya and won the National Film Award for Best Actor for his very first film, has a long and illustrious career in both Hindi and Bengali cinema. His remarks suggest that he feels his contributions to cinema are not being valued by the festival organizers in his home state.
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Social Media and Public Reaction
The actor’s statement quickly spread across social media platforms, drawing mixed reactions from the public. Some users expressed sympathy and blamed mismanagement, while others linked the issue to his political affiliation.
One social media user commented on the situation, saying, “This is utterly unfortunate. Seems somewhere there is some mismanagement.” However, another user took a different stance, writing, “Sir, with all due respect, you’re a good artist. But choosing to sell your credibility to politics is far more disappointing than simply missing an invitation. Art should rise above politics, not become its pawn.”
The discussion also brought attention to the actor’s recent health issues. Mithun Chakraborty recently underwent a successful surgery to remove a metal plate that had been implanted in his body following an old accident. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari visited him at a private hospital in Kolkata to check on his recovery and posted a health update on social media.
Mithun Chakraborty is also set to make a cameo appearance in Rajinikanth‘s upcoming film Jailer 2, which is scheduled for release in 2027.
The Kolkata International Film Festival is a major event in the city’s cultural calendar. The upcoming edition is set to be held from December 16 to 23 this year. The controversy surrounding Chakraborty’s exclusion has added a layer of debate to the festival’s preparations, with many questioning the criteria used by the organizers for sending out invitations.
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