"We have a lot of interest in Indian films."
Bollywood films have a universal appeal that stretches beyond India.
For decades, Bollywood has been entertaining Hindi film fans across the globe, with places such as the UK and US being enthralled with the art.
It transpired that Russia is also looking to embrace Bollywood with a renewed vigour.
Russian President Vladimir Putin recently praised Bollywood films, asserting that Russia will promote them if the interest allows it.
Ahead of the BRICS Summit, Putin said: “If we look at BRICS member states, I think in this country, Indian films are most popular.
“We have a special TV channel with Indian movies being shown on it round the clock.
“We have a lot of interest in Indian films and hold the BRICS film festival.
“This year, the Moscow International Film Festival introduces films from BRICS nations.
“We are positive that if Indian films are interested, then we will find some common ground and promote them in Russia.
“I am ready to talk to the Prime Minister of India, and we will come to terms, and there will be no difficulty.
“It would be fascinating to see not only Indian films but those featuring BRICS countries’ actors representing their cultures, an Indian actor, a Chinese and Ethiopian actor.”
Despite the comments of Putin, Russian interest in Bollywood films is not a new concept.
In the 1950s, the iconic filmmaker Raj Kapoor achieved a plethora of fame in Russia.
His films, Aawaara (1951) and Shree 420 (1955), proved to be immensely popular in the country.
The songs from both of the films by Mukesh became anthems that were heard among the population.
These numbers included ‘Aawaara Hoon’ and ‘Mera Joota Hai Japani‘.
In 2016, Raj Kapoor’s second son, Rishi Kapoor, shed some light on Russia’s love for his father and Bollywood films.
Rishi recollected: “Raj Kapoor was making Mera Naam Joker, and I think it was in the mid-1960s when he was negotiating with a Russian circus to be part of the film.
“He was in London, and certainly, he had to be in Moscow, Russia — which was then the Soviet Union.”
“But he didn’t have a visa to come to Moscow. Still, they welcomed him.
“There was no welcome committee for him because he landed unannounced.
“So he got outside and waited for a taxi. By then, people started recognising that Raj Kapoor was in Moscow.
“His taxi came, and he sat in. Suddenly, what he saw was that the taxi was not moving forward and instead was going up.
“The people took the car on their shoulders.”
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