Indian cinema has become a widespread phenomenon across the globe over the last decade. Thus it should not be surprising to find a mega Indian Film Festival being organised in Poland.

Manisha Koirala’s much appreciated film Dear Maya opened the festival at Kino Teka, which features seven path-breaking Indian films over four days. Ambassador of India to Poland Ajay Bisaria said in his message to the media,”The first ever Indian Film Festival in Poland will hopefully become a bridge between the Indian and Polish film industries.

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It will be devoted to a greater appreciation of cinema in particular, art and culture in general, by showcasing Indian films for Polish audiences and opening new avenues of bilateral cooperation between our countries.

This celebration of cinema will be part of a wider Festival of India that we hope will bring a gourmet selection of India’s cultural offerings to our Polish friends, for a whole year.” Director of New Delhi’s Polish Institute Tomasz Gerlach elaborated, “This festival is an important message to both the Indian and Polish film industries that both sides are ready to initiate collaborations and exchanges of film assets and human resources as well as make business plans.

The first steps were already taken by Indian filmmakers who positively estimated the level of film services in Poland which is an optimistic sign for future development of IndoPolish interactions in the field of cinema”.

Co-founders and curators of Indian Film Festivals Worldwide (IFFW) Captain (retired) Rahul Bali and RC Dalal say most significant thing about the first Indian film festival in Poland is spreading the fragrance of India and promoting a message of synergy and cooperation through films.

The festival not only showcases Indian films to Polish audiences but also honours leading lights of the entertainment industry of both countries.

Apart from the films, a specially curated Indo-Polish musical concert was organised, which saw a group of professionally trained young Indian musicians, under the leadership of Neena Roy performing with world renowned maestro Raphael Lustchevsky. Polish dancers also performed Bollywood numbers.

Diplomatic Editor Ashok Tuteja (ashoktuteja@thestatesmangroup.com)