Shah Rukh Khan will attend the inauguration of the Kolkata International Film Festival virtually, chief minister Mamata Banerjee tweeted on Wednesday.

The inauguration of the 26th edition is scheduled to take place on Friday at Nabanna Sabhaghar in the presence of only the members of the festival committee.

“Together we will overcome this pandemic. But the show must go on. We are going ahead with #KIFF 2021 virtually, on a smaller scale. Glad that my brother @iamsrk will join us virtually at the inaugural event on Jan 8, 4pm. Watch Kolkata International Film Festival live,” the chief minister tweeted, referring to King Khan’s twitter handle.

Shah Rukh, who was made Bengal’s brand ambassador after Mamata became chief minister, has been a constant presence at the inauguration ever since the 17th edition in 2011, when he had come with Sharmila Tagore. That was six months after the Trinamul government was sworn in.

Preparations at Nandan on Wednesday ahead of the Kolkata International Film Festival. Sanat Kr Sinha

On Friday, LED screens will be installed in front of each venue to telecast the virtual inauguration live, festival officials said.

The film festival, which was pushed back from the original November schedule, has been scaled down to maintain the Covid protocols but will have physical screenings at eight venues with 50 per cent seating. Tickets have to be booked online.

Delegate registration is still under way at kiff.in.

“Last year, we had about 2,500 applications. This year we have to bring the number down,” an official said.