West Midland Mayor invites Preity Zinta to be part of Diwali celebrations

Preity Zinta, one of the leading actresses of Indian Cinema, is coming to Birmingham in November to be a part of Diwali celebrations. She will be welcomed by the Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street and both Andy and Preity are set to preside over a weekend of events on Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th November 2023 - in conjunction with the Consulate General of India.

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said, “Diwali is a special time for the Indian diaspora, and communities right across our region are looking forward to celebrating the Festival of Lights. From the very outset of my time as Mayor, the WMCA has worked closely with local groups and the Consulate General of India to mark this occasion in suitably grand style - with dance, special guests, and entertainment. This year, events will be spread across the weekend of Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th November including a star-studded gala dinner at Millennium Point with Bollywood star turned self-made businesswoman Preity Zinta and a cultural programme at Birmingham Town Hall. I look forward to seeing local people at the festivities and joining in the celebrations myself.”

The winner of two Film Fare awards (India’s equivalent of the Oscars), Zinta is perhaps most fondly remembered for her role in the legendary film Veer Zara among many other blockbusters.

Now based in LA, she has achieved considerable success in the world of business - becoming one of the richest self-made Indian females on the planet thanks to her investment interests, production company, and co-ownership of the PUNJAB KINGS cricket team in the IPL.

A former UNAIDS ambassador and member of the UN Foundation’s Global Entrepreneurs Council, she has taken a keen interest in charity work throughout her life.

She is expected to be honoured by some of the city’s leading civic and educational institutions - and will no doubt get a rapturous reception from the hundreds of Indian students enrolled at Birmingham colleges and universities as well as the city and wider region’s substantial diaspora. Preity’s last appearance in the UK was over a decade ago when she spoke to Oxford University students at the Oxford Union Society.

Speaking about her forthcoming visit, Zinta said, “I’m very excited to be part of the Diwali celebrations in Birmingham and look forward to meeting all the wonderful people there - marking the Festival of Lights together.”