Mumbai Film Festival opening promises Bollywood feast

Several Bollywood actors will grace the opening ceremony of the 16th Mumbai Film Festival. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan will be the guest of honour while Kalki Koechlin will host it. Serena, starring Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence, will be this year's opening film.

The opening ceremony of the 16th Mumbai Film Festival (MFF), will witness a glitzy opening ceremony on October 14, with the presence of Bollywood actors like Ranbir Kapoor, Akshay Kumar and Deepika Padukone, among others. While Aishwarya Rai Bachchan will be the guest of honour, Kalki Koechlin will host the ceremony, to be held at Chandan Cinema in Juhu.

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"All these people are established talents, and their presence at the opening ceremony of the film festival goes to show their love for it. They have extended their support, which doesn't just mean monetary support, but also emotional support. They have been investing their time as well," says Anupama Chopra, creative director, MFF.

The theme of the opening ceremony will revolve around the survival of the festival, and hence, the symbol of the festival is the phoenix. "The festival resurrected and we want to celebrate that. We will also introduce the festival's jury members at the opening ceremony. Also, French legend Catherine Deneuve and veteran actor Helen will be felicitated with the Lifetime Achievement Award," says Anupama.

Serena, starring Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence, will be this year's opening film. The festival will be on till October 21.