Jeddah: Indian consulate hosts ‘India Night', strengthens Indian-Saudi film
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A coffee-table book on director Muzaffar Ali Khan’s film Umrao Jaan is released at the India Night event organized by the Indian Consulate in Jeddah.
Jeddah: The Indian Consulate hosted India Night in connection with the Red Sea International Film Festival, celebrating the growth of Indian cinema and its expanding partnership with Saudi Arabia. The event, held at the Park Hyatt Hotel, brought together a wide range of distinguished guests. The main aim was to highlight and strengthen the unique cooperation between India’s film industry and Saudi Arabia.
In his keynote address, Indian Ambassador Suhel Ajaz Khan said cinema is more than entertainment. He stressed it as a powerful medium that crosses language barriers and enables cultural exchange. He noted that India’s film ties can further deepen bilateral relations with Saudi Arabia. He also pointed to the growing opportunities for film production and creative collaboration between the two countries.
Indian Consul General Fahed Ahmed Khan Suri and Bollywood filmmaker Muzaffar Ali Khan also spoke at the event. Both highlighted cinema’s role in connecting people, strengthening cultural exchange and creating strong avenues for artistic cooperation. A coffee-table book on Muzaffar Ali Khan’s film Umrao Jaan was released during the ceremony. The Ambassador, the Consul General, the Vice Chairman of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Shruti Singh, Joint Secretary at India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, took part in the launch.
Performances by noted Hindi singer Shibani Kashyap and singer Aman Sabri were major attractions of the evening, blending classic Bollywood songs with contemporary music and energizing the audience. Young Bollywood actor Kartik Aaryan, diplomats from various countries, representatives of the Red Sea International Film Festival and members of the media attended the event.