International

-Sathish Raman

Updated: Saturday, October 19, 2024, 0:09 [IST]

Bollywood
has
long
been
cherished
in
Russia,
from
Raj
Kapoor’s
‘Awara’
to
Shah
Rukh
Khan’s
‘Pathan’.
On
Friday,
Russian
President
Vladimir
Putin
hinted
at
discussing
further
promotion
of
Indian
films
in
Russia
during
his
upcoming
meeting
with
Prime
Minister
Narendra
Modi.
Modi
is
scheduled
to
visit
Kazan,
Russia,
for
the
BRICS
Summit
on
October
22-23.

“I
think
that
in
this
country,
Indian
films
are
more
popular
than
anywhere
else,” Putin
remarked
during
a
session
with
select
foreign
journalists.
He
mentioned
that
Russia
has
a
dedicated
TV
channel
broadcasting
Indian
movies
continuously.
However,
he
pointed
out
that
marketing
Indian
films
in
Russia
requires
further
discussion.

Focus
on
Economic
Sectors

Putin
highlighted
the
need
for
dialogue
on
promoting
Indian
films
alongside
other
sectors
like
pharmaceuticals
and
automotive.
“Cinema
products
and
film
industry
are
a
part
of
the
economy,
and
is
to
be
duly
regulated.
India
has
made
a
lot
of
decisions
to
protect
its
own
market,” he
stated.
He
emphasised
that
these
sectors
are
interconnected
within
the
economic
framework.

He
expressed
optimism
about
finding
mutual
interests
with
India
to
enhance
the
presence
of
Indian
films
in
Russia.
“But
we
are
positive
that
if
the
Indian
friends
have
this
interest,
we
will
find
common
ground
to
promote
Indian
films
to
the
Russian
market,” he
added,
describing
them
as
a
“very
relevant
and
popular
product”
along
with
pharmaceuticals.

Upcoming
Discussions

Putin
conveyed
his
readiness
to
engage
in
talks
with
Prime
Minister
Modi
during
the
BRICS
Summit
in
Kazan.
He
expressed
confidence
in
reaching
an
agreement,
stating,
“I
am
sure
we
will
come
to
terms
100
per
cent.”
This
meeting
could
potentially
pave
the
way
for
increased
collaboration
between
India
and
Russia
in
various
sectors.

The
discussions
are
expected
to
cover
not
only
cinema
but
also
other
industries
where
both
nations
can
collaborate
effectively.
The
focus
will
be
on
creating
opportunities
for
Indian
products
and
services
in
the
Russian
market,
enhancing
bilateral
relations
further.

The
potential
boost
for
Bollywood
in
Russia
reflects
the
broader
cultural
ties
between
the
two
countries.
As
both
leaders
prepare
for
their
meeting,
there
is
anticipation
about
the
outcomes
that
could
benefit
both
nations
economically
and
culturally.