The “Sashakt Nari – Celebrating Womanhood” Indian Film Festival is currently taking place at the Cinema Palace named after Alisher Navoi in Tashkent.

The festival is organized with the support of the Embassy of India in Uzbekistan, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of India, and the Cinematography Agency under the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Representatives of Uzbekistan and Indian cinema and cinema enthusiasts attended the opening ceremony.

The Ambassador of India to Uzbekistan, Smita Pant, and the Director of the Cinematography Agency, Shukhrat Rizayev, emphasized that the friendly ties between the two countries continue to strengthen, playing an essential role in developing the film industry.

The festival features films dedicated to the lives of women, including “Ghoomer”, “English Vinglish”, “Ardhangini” and “Amma Kanakku”. These films highlight the inspiring role of women in shaping public consciousness.

Speeches by Indian cinema representatives – Abhishek Bachchan, Gauri Shinde, Saiyami Kher, and R. Balakrishnan – added a festive atmosphere to the event. They emphasized that the sincere friendship between Uzbekistan and India and this festival open up significant opportunities for joint film production. The guests also expressed their eagerness to explore these possibilities.

“I am grateful to the Indian Embassy for organizing this event”, says Abhishek Bachchan. “I visited Tashkent 40 years ago during a film festival with my parents. Returning here is a great joy for me. The cultural ties between our countries are strong, and I hope our cooperation will continue to grow. Global cinema is gaining more recognition, paving the way for Uzbek cinema to enter the international stage. It has been my dream to shoot films in Uzbekistan and to introduce Uzbek films to Indian audiences. Respect for women is a vital topic for me. The films at this festival are dedicated to International Women’s Day, but women should be valued not only on special occasions. They are irreplaceable in our lives, and we must respect and cherish them. My father keeps writing to me, eager to know what is happening here every minute. I express my infinite gratitude for your love and respect for me, my family, and my country”.

“The organization of this film festival is a truly joyful event”, says Gauri Shinde, Director of the film “English Vinglish”. “Significantly, it is dedicated to women. Films where women play the leading role are becoming increasingly valued, which makes me proud. “English Vinglish” is a story about a woman’s journey of self-discovery and self-respect. Self-respect is the most important thing. That is why this film resonated with audiences worldwide. Through it, I wanted to show that a woman’s role is not limited to just the home and the kitchen”.

Nasiba Ziyodullayeva, UzA