Thiruvananthapuram: The 26th Kerala International Film Festival kicked off. Actress Bhavana was the unexpected guest on the inaugural stage. There was no imagination in the list of guests released earlier for the opening ceremony. Chalachithra Academy Chairman Ranjith invited Bhavana to the stage as another female character of the struggle. Bhavana’s arrival on stage was received with great applause by the crowded delegates at Nishagandhi.
Leading Bollywood director Anurag Kashyap was the chief guest at the function. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the function which was presided over by Culture Minister Saji Cherian. Ministers V Sivankutty, Antony Raju, GR Anil, Mayor Arya Rajendran, Adv. VK Prashanth MLA, Chalachithra Academy Chairman Ranjith, KSFDC Chairman Shaji N Karun, Culture Department Principal Secretary Rani George IAS, IFFK Artistic Director Beena Paul, Chalachithra Academy Vice Chairman Prem Kumar and Secretary C Ajoy were present on the occasion.
