On 25–26 April 2025, the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Kolkata proudly hosted the First Thai Film Festival under the theme “Frightening the Soul: Thailand’s Mutelu Supernatural Film Festival” at Cinepolis, Acropolis Mall, Kolkata. The festival showcased three renowned Thai horror films: Shutter, The Undertaker, and Home for Rent, which captivated significant interest from Indian audiences.

The festival was officially opened on 25 April 2025, with Ms. Siriporn Tantipanyathep, Consul-General of Thailand in Kolkata, presiding over the inaugural ceremony. She introduced a special screening of Shutter, marking the start of the two-day celebration of Thai cinema. Over 100 distinguished guests attended the ceremony, including prominent figures from the Indian Film Industry, members of the consular corps in Kolkata, representatives from the Indian private sector, Travel and Tourism Associations, academic institutions, local media, and Friends of Thailand. The event was also graced by the presence of Ms. Rituparna Sengupta, a renowned Indian actress and Film Producer, who joined the festivities and attended the film screening.

In her opening remarks, Consul-General Siriporn underscored the important role of Thai cinema in fostering cultural connections that bridge imagination and transcended geographical cultural boundaries. She highlighted the unique essence of Thai horror films, which artfully weave together narratives rooted in spiritual beliefs, karma, fate and destiny, core elements deeply embedded in the fabric of Thai identity. She also warmly invited the audiences to explore Thailand beyond the cinema screen by visiting its 60 sacred holy sites, each holding its own mystical charm. Additionally, she encouraged attendees to explore the free E-book “Connecting to Spiritual Thailand”, extending the festival experience into an enriching journey of cultural discovery.

The Thai Film Festival aimed to promote Thailand’s creative industries and contemporary culture to international audiences, with a particular focus on engaging the younger generation in Eastern India. It also marked the first official screening of Thai films in Kolkata, with all screening offered free to the public, ensuring accessibility and broad participation.

The Royal Thai Consulate-General expressed its sincere gratitude to GDH 559 Co., Ltd. and Movie Partners Co., Ltd. for their generous support in bringing this festival to life. Their collaboration played a key role in showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Thai cinema. The Consulate-General also extended its appreciation to everyone who attended the festival and helped make it a resounding success. We look forward to welcoming all attendees again at future events that continue to celebrate and promote Thai arts and culture.