By Nishitha Ann John
KUWAIT: The Embassy of India, Kuwait, in collaboration with the Kuwait Arts Association, inaugurated the Indian Film Festival 2025 at the Kuwait Arts Association Theatre on Saturday. The two-day event aims to strengthen cultural ties between Indians and Kuwaitis while offering a glimpse into the rich cinematic landscape of India. Speaking at the opening, Indian Ambassador to Kuwait Paramita Tripathi highlighted the festival’s dual purpose of celebrating Indian cinema and “the warm and deep people-to-people ties that exist between India and Kuwait.”
The festival opened with the screening of the 2011 film Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, which Tripathi described as her “family favorite.” The second day will feature English Vinglish and RRR, showcasing contemporary classics that reflect India’s society, aspirations, challenges, and enduring values of hope, resilience, and harmony. Tripathi also acknowledged the Indian community in Kuwait for its role in strengthening bilateral ties and contributing to the country’s social and economic development.
Guests and dignitaries seated for the Indian Film Festival.
Indian Ambassador Paramita Tripathi and Abdul Rasool inaugurate the Indian Film Festival
Indian Ambassador meets other dignitaries.
Indian Ambassador with Indonesian Ambassador to Kuwait Lina Mariana,
Abdul Rasool Salman, president of the Kuwait Arts Association, said the festival underscores the importance of cultural exchange between artists from both countries. He noted that art serves as a bridge for understanding and coexistence and expressed the association’s readiness to organize joint exhibitions and workshops with Indian artists. Salman further highlighted the Indian community’s contribution to various fields in Kuwait, describing it as a “human, cultural and artistic bridge” between the two nations.
The Kuwait Arts Association has previously hosted exhibitions by renowned Indian artist Maqbool Hussain and received invitations to participate in the New Delhi Biennale, presenting artworks from Kuwaiti artists. Both Tripathi and Salman expressed hope to organize further activities to continue strengthening India-Kuwait cultural relations.
