THE Indian embassy is holding an Indian film festival from August 18 to 24 at the Naypyidaw Cinema Hall.

Indian Ambassador Mr Rajiv Kumar Bhatia said that if all goes well at the festival, it may become a regular occurrence.

“It is a long time since we have had a film week like this but if there is a positive public response then the embassy will not hesitate to make it an annual event,” Mr Bhatia said at the event’s inaugural screening.

Among the audience members last Wednesday were several Myanmar artists and foreign ambassadors.

Mr Bhatia said cinema is an integral part of India’s social and cultural milieu.

“Indian films mirror the values of our society although they should not be taken to be wholly representative,” Mr Bhatia said.

“The films are shaped by the changes that occur in our country and they, in turn, influence its culture, fashion and social mores,” he said.

Seven films will be shown at the festival in Yangon followed by the screening of five films in Mandalay.

Indian classics like Mother India, Anand, Deewar and Golmaal will be part of the festival.