A festival of films starring legendary actress Suchitra Sen is being hosted in her Pabna hometown, where a lawmaker has demanded that her ancestral home be preserved for posterity.

The home of the actress is now under "illegal occupation" and must be freed, demanded Bangladeshi actress and lawmaker Kobori Chowdhury who opened the week-long festival.

According to reports, Chowdhury, along with film director Soovas Dutt, opened the festival to honour the screen legend who lives as a recluse in Kolkata.

Along with the festival's opening Friday, a rally was organised that was joined by thousands, including cultural activists and students. They marched through the streets before converging at the Town Hall premises for the festival.

"Culture and cinema, in particular, are some of the best tools for social reform. It is essential that we patronise quality films," said Dutt.

The festival kicked off with the screening of "Harano Sur", one of Suchitra's better-known films.

Eight films, including Agni Parikkha, Deep Jele Jai, Shilpi, Shath Pakey Bandha, Shap Mochon and Shagorika will be screened at the festival.