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From Mera Joota Hai Japani to Jimmy Jimmy, Raj Kapoor and Mithun Chakraborty have introduced Indian cinema to many Russians. Keeping in mind the continued fascination for Indian cinema in Russia, the Embassy of India, Moscow, and the Consulate General of India, St Petersburg, in collaboration with India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Russia’s Ministry of Culture, National Film Development Corporation, Indian Council of Cultural Relations, Roskino, Illusion Cinema Theatre and Lenfilm Theatre, recently organised the Indian Film Festival 2024-Russia in Moscow and St Petersburg.
CELEBRATING THE LEGACY OF RAJ KAPOOR
With the Moscow Conservatory Chamber Choir flawlessly singing Mera Joota Hai Japani and Awaara Hoon at the opening ceremony, the film festival paid tribute to the legacy of the ‘greatest showman of Indian cinema’.
In his speech, Indian Ambassador to Russia Vinay Kumar highlighted how Indian films have been popular in Russia for decades. “This film festival is a celebration of deep cultural ties between India and Russia that will promote further collaboration in the realm of cinema and beyond,” he emphasised.
Sergey Cheremin, Head of the Department for Foreign Economic Activity and International Relations, and Indian Ambassador to Russia Vinay Kumar at the festival inauguration in Moscow
Olga Lyubimova, Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation, who could not be present at the opening ceremony, said in a message, “Special attention at the festival is given to the memory of the legendary Raj Kapoor. Films featuring him – such as Awaara and Shree 420 – have become symbols of an era.”
S Markov, Deputy Chairman of the Committee for External Relations of St Petersburg
‘ACTORS IN INDIA HAVE BEEN INSPIRED BY RUSSIAN WRITERS AND PLAYWRIGHTS’
Film personalities such as Adil Hussain, Ranvir Shorey, Mrinal Kulkarni, Nila Madhab Panda and Oscar-winning sound designer Resul Pookutty attended the opening ceremony. Talking about the influence of Russian writers and playwrights on Indian actors, Adil said, “Most actors in India have been inspired by Russian writers and playwrights like Jacob Gordin, Maxim Gorky, Leo Tolstoy.”
Adil Hussain
Highlighting the shared history, Pookutty, shared, “For me, personally, and for India at large, Moscow is a very significant place. We have a shared history and as far as Russian cinema is concerned, theories of filmmaking come from here.”
Resul Pookutty
Celebrating cinema and engaging conversations, the festival travelled to St Petersburg on the last day. Consul General of India, St Petersburg, Neelam Rani, inaugurated the Indian film festival in St Petersburg, where films like Chameli, Hotel Salvation and Gulmohar were screened.
Consul General of India, St Petersburg, Neelam Rani
Remembering the enthusiasm of her teachers for Indian cinema during her time in Moscow for her Russian language course, Consul General Neelam Rani shared, “My teachers fondly remembered watching Indian movies like Seeta Aur Geeta, Mera Naam Joker and Awaara. That was the first time I experienced Indian cinema outside the country and that evoked a sense of pride and gratitude towards our filmmakers, who have been ambassadors of Indian culture through the universal language of cinema.”
Sudhir Mishra told us that the experience for him was fascinating as well as educative. “I saw a deep interest in Indian films and a potential market as well. It is a wide open space, culturally and commercially, so it was quite a revelation,” he shared.
Sudhir Mishra
Filmmaker Nila Madhab Panda told us, “My cab driver from the airport shared stories about Raj Kapoor’s iconic song Mera Joota Hai Japani and mentioned Jimmy Jimmy. He told me that he once cried while watching Seeta Aur Geeta. During the screenings, I truly realised the deep connection Russian audiences have with Indian cinema. Their love for our stories came through during Q&A sessions.”
Nila Madhab Panda
Jatla Siddhartha
Shubhashish Bhutiani
Mrinal Kulkarni
Ranvir Shorey
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