[b]"Nollywood is to stage a joint movie festival with Bollywood in New Delhi, India, on Oct. 1, to promote cultural ties between Nigeria and India.

The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Mr Ifeanyi Dike, made the disclosure at the weekend when he paid a courtesy visit on the Nigerian High Commissioner to India, Amb. Oyebola Kuku, in New Delhi.

Dike said the festival would be organised by the AGN and the Association of Movie Producers of Nigeria (AMPN) to show case Nigeria's cultural heritage and talents of Nollywood actors to Asia countries.

``We have been hearing names of Bollywood stars like Amitabbacha, Dramendra and Sharu Khan who are equally not much better than our talented actors,’’ he said.

Dike said that Nigeria and India had similarities in culture, business and environment and had also earned respect within their continents, which could be exploited to boost socio-economic development through film and movie production.

The AGN chairman, however, told the High Commissioner that the festival was relevant at this crucial time when Nigeria's image was being maligned by other nationals through movies and the media.

``Every black man claims to be a Nigerian when he commits crime,’’ Dike said.

He said that already Nollywood and Bollywood stars as well as movie producers of the two countries had accepted to participate in the festival, urging the Nigerian Government to assist in ensuring the success of the festival.

Kuku expressed his appreciation to Nollywood for its positive promotion of Nigeria's image abroad, saying that the festival would assist to boost cultural and business investments in Nigeria.

According to him, movie production is a lucrative business venture that can facilitate economic growth and development if properly packaged.
Kuku assured Nollywood that the High Commission would inform the Nigerian Government on the plans to stage the festival"[/b]
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