By Sarafina Christopher
Abuja, Nov. 13, 2025- Indian High Commission in Abuja, in collaboration with the Kaduna International Film Festival, has pledged to deepen cultural ties between India and Nigeria through film collaboration.
The commitment was reaffirmed at a special short movie screening and panel discussion organised at the Indian High Commission on Thursday in Abuja.
Two short films, India’s “Good Morning” and Nigeria’s “Not So Long a Letter”, were screened, sparking conversations on storytelling and shared cultural values.
The Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Amb. Abhishek Singh, said both countries had vibrant film industries that served as major cultural exports to the world.
“Bollywood produces around 2,000 films annually in different languages and genres.
“Nigeria’s Nollywood is the second-largest film industry in the world by volume after Bollywood,” he said.
He announced plans by the High Commission to launch a signature cultural initiative titled, “Bollywood and Yamarita”.
This, he said, would feature Bollywood movie screenings alongside Nigerian delicacies.
“Our team will organise screenings of Bollywood blockbusters, while serving Yamarita a creative blend of our stories and tastes,” he added.
The high commissioner recalled the growing collaboration between filmmakers in both countries.
He cited the works of an Indian film producer based in Lagos, Mrs Hamisha Daryani Ahuja, whose cross-cultural feature film, “Namaste Wahala”, debuted on Netflix in 2022.
Her six-episode series, “Postcards”, premiered in Lagos in May 2024.
Singh also noted that both governments were considering a Memorandum of Understanding on Film Co-production to further boost creative exchange.
He also recalled that during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to Nigeria in November 2024, both countries signed a Programme of Culture Cooperation and Exchanges for 2024 to 2029 to enhance bilateral cultural relations.
The envoy disclosed that India would host the International Film Festival of India in Goa from Nov. 22 to Nov. 28, 2025, bringing together global filmmakers and industry professionals.
“We thank all our guests for being part of this event; it is not just about watching films, it is about celebrating friendship, creativity, and shared stories,” Singh said.
The event, the High Commission noted, forms part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen India–Nigeria cultural ties through art, film, and storytelling.
A panel discussion followed the screenings on the theme “Celebration of Our Rich Cultural Heritage and the Need for Collaboration”.
Panelists included Filmmaker, Dr Ahmed Sarari; Actor and Filmmaker, Francis Duru and Actress and Filmmaker, Stephnora Okere, moderated by a Journalist, Swat Duniah-Adalumo.
They discussed how cinema could promote mutual understanding, cross-cultural storytelling, and joint film productions between India and Nigeria.
The event also attracted members of the diplomatic community, Nollywood stars, filmmakers, cultural enthusiasts, and friends of India.(NAN)
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