MUMBAI: Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh will inaugurate the 18th Kolkata Film Festival (KKF) on 10 November.

The festival will screen as many as 189 films from 60 countries. Iranian film Nader and Simin: A separation, directed by Azgarh Faradi, will be the opening film of the eight-day festival ending 17 November.

During the festival, tributes would be paid to ex-superstar Rajesh Khanna who died earlier this year. On the occasion, Anand, the evergreen film of the star, would be screened.

Bengali film star Koel Mullick will be the thali girl for the second consecutive year at the inaugural ceremony, said her father and KFF chairperson actor Ranjit Mullick.

"The festival has a budget of Rs 30 million," said state information and culture secretary Nandini Chakraborty. However, she remained a mere spectator when asked about the contribution of the state government and the sponsors.

Centenary tributes would be paid to Italian movie director Michelangelo Antonioni, 13 of whose creations - five features and eight documentaries - would be showcased at the festival, the country‘s second oldest.

It is the second time that the regime of West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee is organising the film fest.

Like last year, the festival will kick off with a gala inaugural ceremony at the Netaji Indoor Stadium.