The festival of India, which kicked off last week with the screening of the 2002 Hrithik Roshan starrer Na Tum Jaano Na Hum, forms part of the celebration of 60 years of the signing of Indo-Swiss Friendship Treaty.
Switzerland, which was the first country to sign such a treaty with independent India, has provided the backdrop for countless Hindi films. Shooting of a Bollywood movie is, in fact the theme of a Swiss film titled Tandoori Love, also to be screened during this festival.
Hindi films slated to be premiered include God Tussi Great Ho, Money Hai to Honey Hai, Mehbooba, and Singh is Kingg. Besides renowned playback singer Asha Bhonsle will also perform in Zurich on August 15.
Apart from Bollywood, the festival also includes cultural and classical music segments, including performances by Sarod players Amaan and Ayaan Ali Khan.
An exhibition of paintings depicting scenes from the Indian epic Ramayana has already enthralled visitors and received extensive media coverage earlier this month.
The summer festival marks the culmination of year-long celebrations that started with the 60th anniversary of India's independence, with the unveiling of a statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Geneva in 2007 one of the preludes.
Trade volume has also increased between India and Switzerland, with 2007 registering USD 3.26 billion trade -- up 24 per cent over the previous year. Switzerland is one of the top 10 investors in India, with its cumulative investment exceeding USD 2 billion.