Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat Film Festival Inaugurated in Shanghai
Indian Film Festival showcase draws global diplomats, Chinese audiences
- Indian film festival inaugurated in Shanghai by Consul General Pratik Mathur
- National Award–winning regional films screened with Chinese subtitles
- Over 200 Chinese viewers attend opening screening of Kannada film Dollu
- Event highlights India’s cultural outreach, cuisine and soft power
GG News Bureau
Shanghai, 8th Feb: The Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat film festival was inaugurated in Shanghai on Sunday, with Pratik Mathur, Consul General of India, launching the event aimed at showcasing the diversity of Indian regional cinema to Chinese audiences.
In his opening remarks, the Consul General said the festival features some of the finest Indian regional films, including National Award–winning titles, fully subtitled in Chinese to make them accessible to audiences across mainland China. He said the curated selection reflects themes that resonate across cultures and geographies.
Highlighting the opening Kannada film Dollu, he noted that the story reflects India’s commitment to preserving traditional cultural heritage, including folk arts and dance forms, in line with the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.
The inaugural screening drew a houseful audience of more than 200 Chinese viewers. Several diplomats also attended the event, including Consul Generals from Iran, Cuba, South Africa, Belarus and Nigeria.
The Consul General said the initiative came soon after the launch of direct flights between Shanghai and New Delhi, marking a new phase in people-to-people exchanges between India and China.
The evening also featured an interactive “Bharat Ko Janiye” quiz, where guests participated in questions related to Indian culture and the festival’s theme.
The programme concluded with an Indian food festival offering regional dishes, along with a special coffee promotion featuring Indian filter coffee. Organisers said the response reflected the growing appeal of Indian products and cultural offerings in global markets.
Officials described the event as a demonstration of India’s soft power through cinema, cuisine and cultural engagement, aimed at strengthening international cultural bonds and enhancing India’s global cultural presence.
