KIFF 2026: Rajinikanth and Prabhas Expected at Kolkata Film Festival, Says Mithun Chakraborty

Checked on 28 October 2026 against four reports published on 27 and 28 October. This page is updated when organisers confirm guests.

The short version. Mithun Chakraborty, chief advisor of the Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF), said after a preparation meeting that the South Indian stars Rajinikanth and Prabhas are expected at the 32nd KIFF, and that Anupam Kher may attend the opening ceremony. The reports describe expectations, not confirmed appearances, and the festival has not published a guest list.

What Mithun Chakraborty said

• The executive committee met at Nandan, Kolkata, on Tuesday 27 October 2026 to prepare the festival.
• Rajinikanth and Prabhas are expected at the inauguration. Millennium Post notes that Mithun has worked with Rajinikanth in Jailer 2 and with Prabhas in Fauzi.
• Anupam Kher “might” attend the opening ceremony. Mithun said he is in talks with Paresh Rawal and Kangana Ranaut, and no attendance is confirmed (ETV Bharat).
• Organisers are trying to invite Hollywood names, but ETV Bharat says no name is confirmed, and Millennium Post quotes Mithun saying the people approached “are quoting hefty sums”.
• The opening may be held at the Victoria Memorial, with a red carpet and large LED screens showing Bengali stars. Sangbad Pratidin and CineKolkata both describe the venue as a proposal that is not final.

Confirmed and not confirmed

About the festival

• This is the first KIFF organised by the new state government (Millennium Post). The festival has moved from its usual November slot to December (Sangbad Pratidin).
• Earlier openings were held at Netaji Indoor Stadium and later at the Dhono Dhanyo auditorium.
• The meeting also discussed Film Bazaar, a focus on promoting Bengali cinema, and decorating Kolkata’s landmarks.
• Foreign-language films from several countries have been submitted and are under review by the selection committee. The state is introducing a special “Uttam” award for the birth centenary of Uttam Kumar (Sangbad Pratidin).
• At the meeting were ministers Purnima Chakraborty and Agnimitra Paul, MLAs Rudranil Ghosh, Papiya Adhikari, Sarbari Mukherjee and Hiran Chatterjee, the director Sandip Ray, and the actors Jeet and Prosenjit Chatterjee (Millennium Post, Sangbad Pratidin).

Why the headline says “announced” and the reports say “expected”

Bengali headlines said the stars would come. The body text of the English reports says “expected” (Millennium Post, ETV Bharat) and “may attend” (CineKolkata, which adds that celebrity appearances remain subject to official confirmation). We use the weaker wording until organisers or the stars confirm.

Questions people ask

Is Rajinikanth coming to the Kolkata Film Festival?

Mithun Chakraborty says he is expected. It is not confirmed.

Is Prabhas coming to KIFF 2026?

He is expected at the opening, according to Mithun. No confirmation has been published.

When is the 32nd Kolkata International Film Festival?

16 to 23 December 2026 according to most reports. One report says 17 December.

Where will the opening ceremony be?

The Victoria Memorial is proposed, but the venue is not final.

Sources

• Millennium Post, 28 October 2026
• ETV Bharat, 27 October 2026
• CineKolkata, 27 October 2026
• Sangbad Pratidin (Bengali)