Kolkata: A special segment celebrating the 150th anniversary of ‘Vande Mataram’ will be hosted at the 32nd Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF) 2026. Concurrently, a proposal to revamp the KIFF trophy is under official review.According to a KIFF source, BJP neta Locket Chatterjee has proposed commemorating the 150th anniversary of ‘Vande Mataram’ as a special feature at KIFF. “The proposal suggests that this tribute be presented through a special chorus performance of the song during the opening ceremony or curtain raiser. The presentation will feature a carefully assembled group of artistes designed to offer a dignified cultural tribute reflecting the historical significance of the Anthem. It is recommended that this proposal be reviewed in consultation with relevant cultural agencies, with separate arrangements to be finalised for musical direction, performers, rehearsals, staging, and technical requirements,” said the source.Meanwhile, Tollygunge BJP MLA Papiya Adhikari has suggested changing the current KIFF trophy design featuring a Royal Bengal tiger, which was introduced in 2014 when the festival turned competitive. “I have formally proposed redesigning the trophy to remove the Royal Bengal tiger, as its prominent canine teeth and snarl can appear intimidating and aggressive,” Adhikari stated. “Since the trophy is crafted from gold and silver, I suggested incorporating a bow and arrow alongside a lotus instead. The bow and arrow carries a profound connection to Lord Ram, while the lotus represents our spiritual heritage. This new design will truly reflect our culture and traditions.”While filmmakers await a final decision on this potential trophy redesign, they have welcomed the restoration of the official festival website. The revamped portal features a vibrant saffron visual theme extending to its imagery of the Victoria Memorial bathed in warm light, with the distinctive hue applied strategically to interactive elements, submission buttons, and heading accents while the logo retains its traditional white and blue design. “The website has become functional on Thursday morning. All the data from all 700 prior submissions has also been fully recovered,” said the source.V K Cherian, who has been trying for four days to submit his documentary, is happy that the site is up. “I couldn’t upload my documentary titled ‘Gandhi’s Harijan Basti’. I will now submit it on the KIFF site,” Cherian said.
