Page 48 - The Indian EYE 081823

The Indian Eye
BOLLYWOOD SPECIAL AUGUST 18, 2023 48

Spirit of Freedom: Rahul Mittra & Anupam

Kher open Namaste Vietnam Festival

The festival aims at strengthening the bilateral relations between both the countries, entailing
a bouquet of events ranging from film screenings, cultural performances, master classes by the

celebrities and Indian Independence Day celebrations

OUR BUREAU in large numbers, as the celebrities
were awarded for their contribution
Ho Chi Minh City
to cinema amidst rousing applause
ell-known Bollywood ac- from the crowds at the grand open-
tor Anupam Kher and ing ceremony.
Waward-winning filmmak- Further to the announcement
er-actor Rahul Mittra opened the made by Indian Prime Minister
second edition of the coveted Na- Narendra Modi, where he reiter-
maste Vietnam Festival at a packed ated the importance of Vietnam as
auditorium in the iconic Hoa Binh the key to India’s Act East policy,
Theatre, Ho Chi Minh City’s big- this festival is aimed at strengthen-
gest performing arts venue over the ing the bilateral relations between
weekend. both countries, entailing a bouquet
Organised by the Embassy of of events ranging from film screen-
India in Vietnam & the Consulate ings, cultural performances, master
General of India in Ho Chi Minh classes by the celebrities, Indian
City under the aegis of the Ministry Independence Day celebrations,
of External Affairs, Government of seminars & conferences in order to
India, this mega festival of India is generate a euphoria about India in
being held in Vietnam till August Vietnam.
20th, 2023. The festival will also have the
Rahul Mittra & Anupam Kher first ever world premiere of a Hindi
addressed the 2,000 strong audience film in Vietnam with Anupam Kher’s
comprising of top Vietnamese gov- The signature.
ernment functionaries & diplomats, Filmmaker-actor & branding
leading local media persons, Indian specialist Rahul Mittra had led the
Consul General Dr Madan Mohan first ever Indian film delegation to
Sethi, the festival curator Captain Vietnam in 2015, followed by one
Rahul Bali, singer Alisha Chinai, last year which was a roaring success,
actresses Avika Gor & Helly Shah, paving the way for enhanced cultur-
directors Rahat Kazmi & Abhishek al exchange & friendly ties between
Jain, prominent Indians & expats both counties.

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