Films best medium to spread culture to other countries, says Bollywood actor Saif in Dubai

Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan highlighted the unifying and influential role of cinema, calling it a powerful form of soft power through which nations can share their identity with the world.

Speaking at the Arab Media Summit in Dubai during a conversation with Anas Bukhash, host of ABtalks, Saif said cinema is a soft power and every country can export its traditions, cultures, beliefs, beauty, and art forms through cinema.

He noted that films serve as a cultural bridge, enabling audiences around the world to experience lifestyles, customs, and values beyond their borders. “Cinema is perhaps the best medium to spread the culture of the country or region that filmmakers hail from,” Saif added, pointing to the widespread influence of movies on everything from fashion to language and social behaviour.

“I was talking to somebody in Dubai, and they were saying that being Arab, they still had a kind of an Indian function at their wedding, and the bride would dress in a sari, and they would play music. That means we managed to export our culture through movies, in a way that that speaks a lot about how we are as a nation,” he said.

“The best way of judging a nation is probably by the art that they’re producing, including the cinema. When you are watching Netflix, it’s like tuning into another culture and to see how they might be at home. It’s almost like travelling when you see a movie that’s authentic.”

Saif noted that Indian cinema has had a significant influence on filmmaking and storytelling across the GCC and wider MENA region, reflecting shared cultural narratives and common myths that connect audiences beyond borders.

Saif emphasised that as the world becomes more interconnected, cinema plays an increasingly vital role in exporting a country’s traditions, values, and artistic identity. He also pointed to the growing relevance of soft power in global discourse, particularly in light of current international dynamics.

At the same time, he underscored the importance of authenticity and individuality in filmmaking, urging creators to preserve cultural integrity even as they engage with global audiences.

“The best thing you can do is to be authentic to your own culture. If a foreigner asks me to suggest a film to watch, I would not recommend a movie shot in New York or London, but a film set in the heartland of our own country.”