RIYADH: A Saudi national who taught himself Hindi, starred in an Indian film and sang for the prime minister of India is now seen as a symbol of the cultural bridges emerging under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
Hashim Abbas, an actor, first began learning Hindi in 2008 to improve communication with colleagues at an Indian IT company in the Kingdom.
“My love for Indian culture started while working at the company, but it didn’t stay just professional; it quickly became something much more personal and meaningful,” Abbas told Arab News.
In 2023, he played the lead role role in the Malayalam-language Indian film ‘Kondotty Pooram.’ (Supplied)
As he built friendships with his Indian coworkers, Abbas became a cultural guide, showing them around Saudi cities and historic landmarks.
