Rani, Sushmita, Bipasha with Mamata at the 19th KIFF

Bollywood divas Bipasha Basu, Sushmita Sen and Rani Mukherjee were felicitated at the 19th Kolkata International Film Festival.

It was the closing ceremony when veteran actress Moushmi Chatterjee and leading Bengali film heroine Koel Mullick completed the list of pancha kanya (five daughters) feted by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Banerjee presented the actresses all of whom either reside or have their roots in the state with shawls and mementoes, and acknowledging their contribution to the tinsel world.

All the actress who belonged to Bengal originally were thrilled with this honour and even praised Mamata Banerjee. She has transformed Bengal. Since she became the chief minister, Bengal has changed for the better. The ride from the airport to the Science City was great. Mamata Banerjee is an inspiration to a lot of women, Rani said.

Mamatadi, by inviting us and allowing us to be a part of this festival, did a great ending, said Mousumi.

I am so happy today. After all, I am a daughter of Bengal. What a joy to be present here to receive this wonderful honour. It's a blessing to belong to such a country and state, said Sushmita.