Bollywood acts as a friendship bridge between India and Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan has expressed interest in collaborating with Indian filmmakers for making movies in their country.

Addressing a gathering at the 53rd International Film Festival of India (IFFI) on Sunday, Adviser to the Director General of Cinematography Agency of Uzbekistan Barno Ungboeva invited Indian film-makers to add to the richness of their films, by leveraging the architectural, religious and natural destinations of the country.

"We have Bollywood films which were screened in Tashkent Film Festival. We have also extended our reach to other Indian film industries in India, such as the Tamil, Telugu and Bengali film industry," she said.

Ungboeva was accompanied by renowned film directors from Uzbekistan Khilal Nasimov and Lazizbk Temirov; and Producer Atabek Khodjiev.

Khodjiev extended an invitation for Indian film-makers to visit Uzbekistan’s film institute and to enter into collaboration for film-shooting in their country. “We want the India - Uzbekistan friendship to stay as strong as forever”.

"We want the India-Uzbekistan friendship to stay as strong as forever," he said.

Ungboeva informed the gathering that West Bengal students have been invited to take part in a 5-day filmmaking contest at the Tashkent International Film Festival.

"We have invited Allu Arjun and Rashmika Mandana to showcase their films in the next edition of the festival and they have agreed to it," she added.

Uzbek director Khilal Nasimov claimed that Bollywood movies and Hindi movie songs are particularly well-liked in his nation.

"We grew up listening to Indian music and watching Indian movies, including by Raj Kapoor, Hema Malini and Shah Rukh Khan, to name a few. We love them all. They are a super-emotional part of our lives," he added.

This year's XIV Tashkent International Film Festival saw the participation of an Indian film delegation led by NFDC MD Ravinder Bhakar, during which agreements for coproduction and partnership with Uzbekistan were signed.