JEDDAH — The Consulate General of India, in association with the Saudi Indian Business Network (SIBN), is organizing an Indian Food & Film Festival in Jeddah. The two-day event will kick off on Thursday evening on the consulate premises on Prince Muhammad Bin Abdulaziz (Tahliah) Street. Mir Gazanfar Ali Zaki, general secretary of SIBN, told Saudi Gazette that the fourth edition of the food festival would be organized along with the first film festival. Indian Consul General Md Noor Rahman Sheikh will inaugurate the event at 7 p.m. Thursday and consuls general and diplomats of several countries, as well as prominent Saudi officials and business leaders will attend the inaugural ceremony. "Since assuming office as the consul general and vice patron of SIBN, Sheikh has been extending full support to SIBN enabling it to organize more than 100 events and activities within a short span of time," Zaki said. "More than 15 popular Indian restaurants based in Jeddah have confirmed their participation to offer their unique and mouth-watering array of delicacies at one venue," Zaki said. Indian food is rich in variety, taste and flavor. Each region has its own unique style of cooking and cuisine. Renowned for exotic gravies and spicy kababs, Indian cuisine has something to satisfy every palate. The strong flavors of Indian cuisine are because of the variety of spices that are discernible courtesy of their color and aroma. Along with the delicious cuisine, entertainment will be adding flavor to the evening. Bollywood blockbusters Tiger Zinda Hai, Bahubali 2 and Raazi will be screened as part of the film festival. Bollywood films, which have become a part and parcel of daily life, are no longer restricted to India and are now being well appreciated by an international audience. Though entertainment is the key word of Indian cinema it has far more responsibility as it impacts the minds of audiences and plays a major role in society. There will also be a musical fiesta on both days of the festival. The event will be open to Saudi and Indian nationals (families only) on April 25 and 26 from 6:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
