While the event celebrates the power of cinema, its purpose extends beyond art and entertainment. Staying true to its mission of blending artistry with compassion, the SAARC Women’s Association has dedicated the proceeds from Cinematic SAARC to an urgent and vital cause, the provision of Molecular Diagnostic Testing kits for cancer patients at the National Cancer Institute, Apeksha Hospital, Maharagama.
On the 4th of October 2025, the SAARC Women’s Association - Sri Lanka Chapter will once again unfurl its cultural tapestry in Colombo, this time through the dazzling lens of cinema. Aptly titled ‘Cinematic SAARC: A Reel Ride from Kabul to Colombo,’ the much-anticipated event takes place at the Gatz Bar, Cinnamon Life, a dramatic and cinematic setting that overlooks the Indian Ocean. With its soaring views, modern grandeur, and a touch of theatre in its architecture, the venue itself mirrors the essence of cinema; epic, immersive, and unforgettable. For the Association, which has steadily carved out a reputation for its artistic, imaginative, and philanthropic cultural showcases, Cinematic SAARC is both a continuation and an evolution of its vision. The Organizing Committee, led by a spirited group of women committed to championing creativity, compassion, and community, has worked tirelessly to bring the evening to life. Equally, members of the Association have poured in their time, energy, and artistry, underscoring the event’s collective spirit.
A Legacy of Cultural Showcases
This is not the Association’s first foray into celebrating South Asia’s shared heritage. Over the past few years, it has curated a string of highly acclaimed events, each one focusing on a distinct cultural strand. Weaves of SAARC celebrated the timeless traditions of handloom weaving that have clothed, defined, and connected South Asia for centuries. Spices of Asia took audiences on an aromatic journey through the culinary flavours that shaped the region’s history, trade, and collective memory. Jewels of Asia dazzled with a runway of models adorned in traditional jewellery, revealing the artistry, symbolism, and heritage behind each SAARC nation’s adornments. With each edition, the Association has woven together beauty and meaning; creating evenings that are at once glamorous, entertaining, and deeply rooted in the mission to build bridges across borders. Cinematic SAARC is the natural next act, turning the spotlight on the silver screen, a medium that has long been one of the most powerful cultural connectors of our time.
From Kabul to Colombo: Stories that Shape a Region
The cinema of South Asia is as diverse as the landscapes it represents, from Kabul’s poetic visual storytelling to Colombo’s growing cinematic sophistication; from the mass appeal and spectacle of Bollywood to the nuanced elegance of Bhutanese films; from the heartfelt simplicity of Maldivian stories to the vibrant narratives emerging from Pakistan; from the lyrical charm of Nepal’s films to the bold and uncompromising voices of Bangladeshi cinema.
To experience these films is to step into the dreams, struggles, aspirations, and humour of a billion people. The power of cinema lies in its ability to capture both the ordinary and the extraordinary. It celebrates love, chronicles conflict, critiques society, and reflects identity. In the SAARC region, cinema has been more than entertainment, it has been a mirror, a movement, and often, a messenger of change. Cinematic SAARC will bring these diverse traditions under one roof, in a creative reimagining that blends fashion, performance, and theatre. Models will step into the shoes of legendary stars, re-enacting iconic characters and timeless scenes that have defined the silver screen of each nation. From the intensity of Bollywood classics to the subtle poetry of Bhutan, the evening promises a kaleidoscopic journey across borders, decades, and genres.
Dance, Music, and Glamour Interwoven
No South Asian film is complete without music and dance. They are not merely embellishments, but integral to the storytelling tradition of the region. True to form, Cinematic SAARC will feature captivating live performances that embody the rhythms, melodies, and choreography of SAARC cinema. Audiences can expect the dramatic sweep of Bollywood dance numbers, the soulful strains of folk music, and the elegant poise of traditional performance arts, all adapted for the stage with cinematic flair. This will not be a mere nostalgia trip. Instead, it will be a living celebration, where past and present meet, where iconic stars of yesteryear are evoked even as contemporary artistry shines through. For one evening, Colombo will become a stage for the entire region, its glamour elevated by the cinematic imagination of South Asia.
A Cause Beyond Celebration
While the event celebrates the power of cinema, its purpose extends beyond art and entertainment. Staying true to its mission of blending artistry with compassion, the SAARC Women’s Association has dedicated the proceeds from Cinematic SAARC to an urgent and vital cause, the provision of Molecular Diagnostic Testing kits for cancer patients at the National Cancer Institute, Apeksha Hospital, Maharagama. These kits are essential in diagnosing cancer at a molecular level, enabling more accurate treatment and better outcomes for patients. In supporting this initiative, the Association once again affirms that culture can be a force not only for connection but also for healing. The glamour of the evening thus carries with it a deeper resonance, a reminder that every story told, every performance staged, is ultimately in service of humanity.
The Voice of the Evening: Ashok Ferry
Adding to the evening’s allure is its compere, none other than Ashok Ferry. Acclaimed author, raconteur, and one of Sri Lanka’s most beloved literary personalities, Ashok is the perfect guide for this cinematic journey. Known for works such as Colpetty People and Serendipity, his gift lies in turning the everyday into stories that sparkle with humour, wit, and wisdom. A regular presence at literary festivals both in Sri Lanka and abroad, Ashok is as much a performer as he is a writer. With his trademark blend of quick humour, theatrical presence, and ability to connect with audiences, he will bring texture, charm, and a touch of mischief to the evening. In his hands, the audience will not just watch but participate, laugh, reflect, and perhaps even rediscover their own love of cinema.
A Celebration of Unity in Diversity
The genius of Cinematic SAARC lies not only in its glamorous staging but also in the idea it embodies, that cinema, like culture itself, is a language that transcends borders. In a region often defined by political and economic complexities, the silver screen has always been a space of dialogue, empathy, and shared experience. When audiences across Pakistan laugh at a Bollywood comedy, when Sri Lankans hum a Nepali song, when Bangladeshis are moved by an Afghan drama; something profound happens. Art reminds us of our common humanity, even when borders divide us. This is the essence of Cinematic SAARC: a reminder that creativity can unite where politics cannot.
An Evening to Remember
For those who attend, the evening promises an unforgettable mix of glamour, nostalgia, entertainment, and philanthropy. It is not only a celebration of cinema but also of community, of the power of women to organize, inspire, and champion causes that matter. As the lights dim at the Gatz Bar, and the first strains of music rise above the Indian Ocean, audiences will be transported from Kabul to Colombo, from Lahore to Male, from Thimphu to Dhaka. They will not just watch a performance, but journey through the dreams and dramas of a region. And in doing so, they will be reminded of the power of cinema to reflect life, to shape culture, and to bring us together. The SAARC Women’s Association - Sri Lanka Chapter, through Cinematic SAARC, has once again crafted an evening that is as meaningful as it is magical. It is a reel ride worth taking, a journey into the heart of South Asia, one frame at a time.
