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Mamata Banerjee at the Ballygunge Cultural Association puja. (Amit Datta)
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Chief minister Mamata Banerjee continued pandal-hopping on Thursday, leaving Writers’ at 4.50pm to visit nearly a dozen pujas in around five hours. Metro tried keeping up with her.
Ballygunge Cultural Association
Why: The chief minister knows many people associated with the club.
Seen and heard: Waiting for the chief minister as she walked into the pandal depicting rural Rajasthan were Kahaani director Sujoy Ghosh and footballer Chuni Goswami.
“I thank Sujoy for depicting Calcutta so beautifully in his film,” Mamata said, before wishing the best to the cast and crew of Paanch Adhyay, which releases on Friday.
Half an hour later, it was time for another treat for the crowd gathered at the pandal as Paanch Adhyay stars Priyanshu Chatterjee and Dia Mirza arrived. “Agami kal amar chhobi release korchhe. Ami apnader request korchhi amake khub ador deben (My film is releasing tomorrow. I want all your love),” said Dia, dressed in green, as cell phones, cameras and tablets went click click.
Hindustan Park Sarbojanin
Why: Author Nabaneeta Dev Sen is the chief patron.
Seen and heard: A grand traditional welcome awaited the chief minister here, complete with ululation, blowing of conch shells and dhak beats. Mamata marvelled at the beauty of the idol.
Mudiali
Why: The puja has been a permanent fixture in her itinerary.
Seen and heard: The club brought two women of the moment — Mamata Banerjee and Dia Mirza — together. Mamata’s advice to dazzling Dia: “Our artists stir up a dream world here. You must go around and I promise you will marvel at the city’s beauty.”
Tridhara Sammilani
Why: Mayoral council member Debasish Kumar is the chief patron.
Seen and heard: People jostled for a glimpse of the chief minister and singer Sonu Nigam.
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