Payal Paul, Kolkata : For the city that breathes cinema, the 31st Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF) opened its curtains with a bitter twist. Amidst the buzz of screenings, celebrity arrivals, and cinephile excitement, the festival ground witnessed a familiar — and alarming — repetition of fraud.
This year, a staggering 357 fake festival cards were seized from the premises — a sharp spike from last year’s 50. The revelation sent ripples of concern through the organizing committee, prompting an emergency press conference led by Nandan Director Sharmistha Banerjee and Festival Coordinator Pradeep Kumar Sarkar.
“Watching films at the festival doesn’t cost anything — it’s free for registered delegates,” Banerjee explained. “So why anyone would spend money to create fake cards is baffling. Who’s behind this, and why? These acts not only mock the spirit of the festival but also raise serious safety concerns for genuine movie lovers.”
The issue came to light right before the press interaction of “Halum”, a Bengali Panorama entry directed by Raja Chanda. Festival officials revealed that several attendees attempted to enter the halls using fake delegate, guest, and even press passes.
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| Photo Courtesy : Sohom Mukherjee |
Security personnel at the gates detected anomalies during routine checks — what looked like professional cards turned out to be color photocopies or reprints of last year’s passes. Many individuals tried to flee when questioned, turning the serene festival courtyard into a brief scene of chaos.
By November 10, the tally of confiscated fake passes had reached 357. Banerjee expressed her apprehension:
“As of today, it’s 357 fake cards. We still have three more days to go. If this number grows, it’s deeply worrying.”
The authorities have reported the matter to the police, and an internal probe is underway to identify the source of the counterfeit passes.
Ironically, the Kolkata International Film Festival prides itself on being one of India’s most accessible and inclusive film events — where entry is free for registered viewers. Yet, this incident exposes the darker side of fandom and opportunism — how even an open cultural celebration isn’t immune to exploitation.
As the festival continues to roll, the hope remains that the spotlight shifts back to what truly matters — cinema, creativity, and the city’s enduring love for the screen.
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