The Indian film festival, which started at the «Ashgabat» cinema, greeted guests with a themed poster exhibition, inviting them to fully immerse themselves in the distinctive aesthetics of Bollywood.
Looking at the excitement in the lobby and the anticipation in the eyes of the audience waiting for the show to begin, you realise that going to the cinema is still important. The big screen offers a rare opportunity for collective empathy and a special atmosphere that allows one to completely dissolve into another world. That is why, for many guests, this festival became not just a cultural event, but also a long-awaited encounter with art, where music, sincerity, and justice always go hand in hand.
In our country, Indian cinema consistently enjoys a high level of interest. The secret of its popularity lies in its unique synthesis of genres. In one film, deep drama, exciting action and a cheerful musical coexist harmoniously.
The opening ceremony was opened by a performance by Tachnabat Yomudova. The artist, who has studied Indian culture since childhood, performed national songs, setting a festive and inspiring tone for the entire event. The vibrant performance evoked an enthusiastic reaction from the audience and became a natural transition to the official part of the event.
The festival program opened with the large-scale film «RRR» by director S. Rajamauli. This epic film, shot in Telugu, takes the viewer back to the early XX century. The story tells of the dedication and strong friendship of two heroes who embarked on the path of protecting the interests of their people during the colonial epoch.
Interestingly, the very concept of «Bollywood», which arose from the junction of the names of Bombay and Hollywood, is today perceived more as a tribute to tradition. Contemporary Indian cinema is an incredibly multifaceted industry. Filming takes place in a wide variety of states, and movies are released in dozens of regional languages, each bringing its own unique cultural codes to the table. India firmly holds the global lead in the number of films produced annually, creating content that is understandable and relatable to audiences across all continents.
The festival was organised by the Embassy of India in Turkmenistan jointly with the Ministry of culture of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of information and broadcasting of India. The event was an important step in strengthening humanitarian dialogue and expanding friendly ties between our countries.
The Indian film festival will run until the 24th of January. Throughout the week, both iconic masterpieces and contemporary new releases will be shown:
21.01.2026: «Seeta and Geeta» (1972) at 11:00;
21.01.2026: «12th Fail» (2023) at 17:00;
22.01.2026: «Disco Dancer» (1982) at 11:00;
22.01.2026: «83» (2021) at 17:00;
23.01.2026: «Embers» (1975) at 11:00;
23.01.2026: «Raksha Bandhan» (2022) at 17:00;
24.01.2026: «English-Vinglish» (2012) at 11:00.
Admission to all sessions is free.
