Mamata Banerjee wants Bollywood to come to Kolkata

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said she wants Bollywood to turn its eye to the state as it is a gateway to Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and the north-eastern states. "We want Mumbai to come here. Bengal is the gateway to north-east, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh. Bengal will be transformed into 'Biswa Bangla'," Banerjee said while felicitating actors and technicians of the Bengali film industry with the 'Mahanayak Uttam Kumar Samman'.

She said the state government has a vision and a mission and Hollywood and Bollywood would come to the state. "We have identified land for two new film cities. A TV studio will also come up at a six-acre plot in Baruipur," Banerjee said.

Paying tributes to legendary Bengali actor Uttam Kumar on his death anniversary, she said when the actor passed away, some people thought Bengali cinema would be over. "But new talent has emerged. The golden era of Uttam-Suchitra in Bengali cinema can never be forgotten," she said, adding, the golden era of Bengali film and television industry would return one day. Bengali film actor Dev, veteran actress Mousumi Chatterjee, Moon Moon Sen and playback singer Kumar Sanu were among those awarded at the function.