Salman Khan graced the inauguration of the Kolkata International Film Festival alongside Anil Kapoor, Mahesh Bhatt, Shatrughan Sinha, Sonakshi Sinha, Sourav Ganguly, and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Led by Mamata Banerjee, the Tiger 3 star and fellow actors took the stage for the festival's formal commencement. Salman, among others, participated in lighting the lamp, signalling the festival's start, and offered a respectful gesture with folded hands. He was warmly greeted with a salaam from the stage.
Salman sported a sleek all-black ensemble, exuding a dapper charm. On stage, all the celebrities were honoured with commemorative trophies. Bengali actor Dev Adhikari warmly felicitated Salman, marking a special moment. This was followed by the screening of this year's signature film.
Mamata Banerjee made an unexpected appearance on stage, joining Salman Khan and other celebrities in a dance performance set to this year's film conceptualised by her, featuring the voice of Arijit Singh. In a captured video, Mamata was seen dancing alongside Salman, Mahesh Bhatt, Anil Kapoor, Sonakshi, and Shatrughan Sinha, while Sourav Ganguly applauded beside them. At the event, the CM also sang Rabindranath Tagore's Banglar Mati, Banglar Jol.
At the event, Sourav Ganguly said, “Welcome to Kolkata, my favourite Mr Salman Khan. It's a coincidence that I have met him for the first time here in person. In all these years, this is the first time I have met him in person, and I said when I saw him down that it's unfortunate that we never met before.”