Bollywood rocks in Poland

Saturday September 30 2006 10:48 IST
newindpress.com

Bollywood is writing a new script throughout Poland. Until two years ago, India was for many Poles a land of exotic things of the East, be it yoga or the search for a spiritual guru.

With the release of Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham with Polish sub-titles, Karan Johar started a new era in Poland. This was the first Indian commercial movie that moved Poles to movie halls across the country.

Suddenly, ShahRukh Khan came on the Polish screen and became an icon with his two other hits -Kal Ho Na Ho and Main Hoon Na. His posters are now sold in thousands.

The Bollywood extravaganzas with glittering costumes and foot-tapping music have made India a soft power in the Polish psyche.

Now many clubs and bars have started organising Bollywood Nights where pop and bhangra are joyously mixed. No wonder the Indian community also joins in the programmes that go on till the wee hours on weekends.

"Change is the essence of existence and now we have no other option than to get attracted towards India. From spiritualism to classical dances and to Bollywood music and films have been a long journey but we have succeeded in selling India to the Polish market," said Janusz Krzyzowski, president of the Indo-Polish Cultural Committee.

J J Singh, general secretary of the Indian Association in Poland, echoed the sentiments.

"Now we are in big demand. Many groups are asking us to help them organise Bollywood Nights. It is a sudden flush of energy which has erupted in Poland in the last two years."

Indian Ambassador Anil Wadhwa is equally upbeat. "Sometimes you are lucky in history. I could not have imagined when I arrived in March 2004 that Bollywood would be on the Polish radar screen so fast. Now sky is the limit. The authorities have asked Karan Johar to be one of the judges for the Miss World 2006 beauty contest which will be held Sep 30," said Wadhwa.

"We are expecting many Bollywood producers to select Poland for their outdoor shooting. Here there is proper scenic beauty, and the latest technology is also available at half the price of what a producer spends in Switzerland."

Yashraj Films had shot the climax of Fanaa in the Tatra Mountains in February 2006, and both Kajol and Aamir Khan had come to Zakopane in severe winter.

The film proved to be a big hit. The owner of the restaurant, where the unit of Fanaa had their meals, changed the name to Bollywood in Zakopane.

Similarly, many shops selling Indian goods, including jewellery and garments, are coming up with names linked to Bollywood.