Putin Lauds Bollywood's Enduring Popularity Across Russia

In a recent address, Russian President Vladimir Putin has lavished praise on Indian cinema, emphasizing its enduring popularity in Russia. According to Putin, Indian films not only enjoy immense success in their home country, but Russia is likely the only other nation that has a dedicated television channel solely focused on streaming Indian movies 24 hours a day.

Putin's comments underscore the deep cultural ties between the two nations, which date back to the Soviet era when stars like Raj Kapoor and Mithun Chakraborty became household names across Russia. Audiences were captivated by Bollywood's signature rags-to-riches tales and the eternal battle between good and evil. In fact, Mithun Chakraborty's 1982 blockbuster "Disco Dancer" remains one of only two Indian films estimated to have sold over 100 million tickets overseas, alongside Raj Kapoor's 1951 classic "Awaara."

The Russian leader has long expressed his admiration for Indian cinema. In 2024, during a media briefing ahead of the BRICS Summit, Putin praised Bollywood, calling Indian films the most popular in Russia. He also signaled openness to further collaboration between the Russian and Indian film industries, stating that the two countries would find common ground to promote Indian movies in Russia.