Abhishek, Khans to rule film fest in Warsaw

Bollywood fans in the Polish capital are looking forward to a bonanza of the latest hits from India to be screened in a festival that opens from Tuesday evening.

Unlike the past, this time the Bollywood hamper includes hits like Guru, Yuva, Ta Ra Rum Pum, Jhoom Barabar Jhoom, Dhoom 2 and Chak De! India. Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan is a household name in Poland as his earlier film, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, was the first Hindi movie to have been commercially released in January ‘05.

Since then, Shah Rukh’s films such as Kal Ho Naa Ho and Main Hoon Na have been drawing crowds in many parts of the country. “It is a great chance to catch up with the latest Bollywood crop,” Janusz Krzyzowski, president of Indian Polish Cultural Committee, said. “My wife, Gabriella, will be present every day to enjoy Bollywood masala films.”

The Indian community is excited to see these movies on the big screen, though many of expatriates have already seen them at home. “The charm of watching an Indian film on a big screen is different. You are a part of a crowd and reactions often bring smiles to one’s face,” observed JJ Singh, president of the Indian Association in Poland.

The movies are being distributed by EPELPOL, a Polish company, which is almost sure that they will do big business in Warsaw and prompt them to show these films in other big towns.