The Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat film festival was inaugurated in Shanghai on Sunday, aiming to introduce Indian regional cinema to Chinese audiences. Pratik Mathur, the Consul General of India, launched the event. The festival showcases some of India's finest regional films, including National Award-winning titles, all subtitled in Chinese to ensure accessibility for viewers across mainland China.

In his opening remarks, Mathur stated that the selected films reflect themes that resonate across cultures and geographies. He highlighted the opening Kannada film "Dollu," noting that it 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 was attended by more than 200 Chinese viewers. Several diplomats, including Consul Generals from Iran, Cuba, South Africa, Belarus, and Nigeria, were also present at the event.

The Consul General mentioned that this initiative follows the launch of direct flights between Shanghai and New Delhi, marking a new phase in people-to-people exchanges between India and China. The Indian diaspora in China had previously showcased "Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat" through cultural performances, including Indian classical music and dance, during Republic Day celebrations. These performances, along with the popularity of Indian cinema and songs in China, underscore the existing cultural connections between the two countries.

The Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat program aims to enhance interaction and promote mutual understanding between people of different states and union territories through the concept of state pairing. This initiative seeks to create a culturally connected nation.