Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that the Government is always ready to support socially relevant cinema. He inaugurated the 17^th Bengaluru International Film Festival on the grand steps of the Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru on Thursday.

In his address at the Bengaluru International Film Festival he said that films should not be limited to entertainment alone but should also work towards correcting social inequalities and addressing the shortcomings of society.
In his address he said that society continues to face inequality and those women, BC, farmers and Dalit communities are among those affected. When cinema works to instil confidence and contribute to the growth and transformation of these communities, the true purpose of the medium is fulfilled, he said. Recalling Kannada cinema legend Dr Rajkumar, this sense of social responsibility was clearly reflected in his films.

The CM said that we are humans first and last. By treating everyone with love and respect, we must strive to build an equal society. Cinema should play a key role in this process, he added. Film festivals help people understand humane relationships and progressive social practices followed in other countries.

He referred festival ambassador and actor Prakash Raj is not limited to cinema alone but is at the forefront of social struggles. He lauded Prakash Raj’s commitment to the causes of the oppressed, farmers, Dalits, BCs and the ideals of the Constitution, calling his social dedication commendable.

MLA Rizwan Arshad presided over the film festival, Legislative Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti, Karnataka Film Academy President Sadhu Kokila, festival artistic director Murali, Chief Minister’s media advisor K.V. Prabhakar, actor and festival ambassador Prakash Raj, noted actor Rukmini Vasanth, Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce President M. Narasimhalu, Legislative Council member and actor Umashree, Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh, Information and Public Relations Commissioner Hemant Nimbalkar, Film Academy member Chidanand Patel were participated in the program.