While many in India may have forgotten the popular Hindi song of 1955 ‘’Ichak dana bichak dana’’ from the Raj…
Benjamin Netanyahu and PM Narendra Modi (File Photo: Twitter)
While many in India may have forgotten the popular Hindi song of 1955 ‘’Ichak dana bichak dana’’ from the Raj Kapoor directed ‘Shri 420’, it is still extremely popular in Israel.
The song was one of the music items played at the luncheon banquet hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in honour of his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu and the latter’s delegation at the Hyderabad House.
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Many in the Israeli delegation immediately pointed out to members of the Indian delegation that they knew the song and keep hearing it regularly back home in Israel. ‘’Several Israeli delegates immediately recognised the track and the Indians present there marvelled at this shared cultural experience,’’ according to Vijay Gokhale, Secretary in the External Affairs Ministry who would soon take charge as Foreign Secretary.
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Indian movies were a regular fixture in Israel in early days. They were often dubbed in Hebrew or Russian.
In view of the popularity of Bollywood films and songs, Israel also signed with India a pact for cooperation in film production. MEA officials said the pact was ‘exploratory in nature’ for mutual cooperation in filmmaking.
During his ongoing India visit, the Israeli PM will also be visiting Mumbai to meet top Bollywood directors, producers and actors for exploring the possibility of co-production of films.
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