TASHKENT, September 8. /Dunyo IA/. Popular Indian film star Hema Malini and renowned film director Umesh Mehra will participate in the XVI Tashkent International Film Festival "Pearl of the Silk Road", reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

Dear friends and people of Uzbekistan, I express my gratitude for the invitation to the international film festival and look forward to the upcoming events in Tashkent, – remarked Hema Malini in her video message to Uzbek film enthusiasts.

Actress, producer, director, dancer, and politician Hema Malini is widely known for her roles in films such as Zita and Geeta, Revenge and Law, Samrat, and others. Her popularity especially surged after the release of the film Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves.

One of her recent films, Veer-Zaara, was also met with great interest from audiences.

The XVI Tashkent International Film Festival is scheduled to take place from September 15 to 19 this year.