In the Soviet era, every new film by Raj Kapoor produced the effect of an exploded bomb. Huge lines stood outside cinemas, black-browed beauties looked out from film posters, and the whole country hummed songs in an unfamiliar language.
Our grandmothers and grandfathers adored Indian films, songs, and dances. Passionate love, young beauties in luxurious saris, and what intrigues and twists! Kapoor’s heroes were often poor but honest and fair people, and in the end goodness — and of course love — always triumphed.
Raj Kapoor, the great Indian screenwriter, director, producer, and actor, was, according to those who knew him well, a great optimist. All his films are permeated with this optimism. Perhaps this is the secret of their popularity.
Raj Kapoor was also always a great friend of our country. He visited the USSR many times; in 1965 he served on the jury of the IV Moscow International Film Festival. In the 1950s–60s he was the most popular foreign actor in the USSR. And of course, he played a huge role in fostering the warm and friendly relations between our countries.
Yesterday, at Nikita Mikhalkov’s “Workshop, 12” theater, an evening dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the legendary actor and director took place. On our side, the event was organized by the World Peoples Assembly, and on the Indian side — by Respect India. The evening turned out to be truly warm: official representatives of both Russian and Indian organizations shared many kind words about the friendship between our peoples. Awards and honorary certificates were presented.
And then the audience found themselves in India…
Energetic Indian songs filled the hall — a whole Indian ensemble and Bollywood star singer Mandakini Bora came to Russia for the occasion. The audience gladly danced and sang along. There was also a surprise from the Moscow organizers — the Chamber Choir of the Moscow Conservatory.
But the most remarkable thing, as emphasized by Svetlana Konstantinovna Smirnova, Chair of the Council of the World Peoples Assembly, was that the Raj Kapoor evening took place just a few days before Russian President Vladimir Putin’s trip to India.
Our countries will always remain friends on many different levels!
