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I have always loved Bollywood films. I grew up watching Hindi movies. Though it took years to me to understand the language I can say I have learnt the Hindi language very well. I am extremely happy to have learnt a new language. I remember my parents were big fans of Dilip Kumar, Raj Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan, Ashok Kumar and Pran. We were in our home country then. We would watch Bollywood films only on television. But when we came to Dubai in 1995, then we started watching films in the theatre. My parents would go almost every week to a cinema to watch a Bollywood film. When I started going to school in Dubai then my friends from India helped me a lot.

They all introduced me to Indian songs, films, cuisines and culture. Then I started enjoying films more. Today I can fluently speak Hindi. Since I did schooling from Dubai my language appears to be better than my parents. In all these years, I had the opportunity to meet many Bollywood stars in Dubai. I feel fortunate to have met them. Many people I meet in Dubai feel I am from India. I feel happy to get the compliment. But I must appreciate my parents for exposing me to a different culture. Today I celebrate all Indian festivals with my Indian friends. I eat all Indian delicacies. 

Ribal K,

By email