Egypt has since time immemorial been fascinated with all things India, and Bollywood has been an all-time favourite there with Raj Kapoor and his movies like Sangam and Mera Naam Joker still playing in people's psyche. So, it does not come as a surprise, not quite, that the ongoing Cairo International Film Festival has a basket full of Indian movies – as many as eight.
Yes, of the 175 films from 53 countries, 21 are from France, 17 from Italy, 14 from Egypt and 10 from Australia. India may come a poor fifth, but the average Egyptian's love for Indian cinema is unparalleled. I have seen this during my several trips to Cairo, and more recently to the newly launched El Gouna Film Festival on the Red Sea coast of Egypt. Even stern-looking immigration officers (called police in that country) break into a smile the moment they find out that I am from India, and there to cover a movie festival They would excitedly ask me about the Kapoor clan and Shahrukh Khan, (of course) Big B and all things Bollywood.
Yes, of the 175 films from 53 countries, 21 are from France, 17 from Italy, 14 from Egypt and 10 from Australia. India may come a poor fifth, but the average Egyptian's love for Indian cinema is unparalleled. I have seen this during my several trips to Cairo, and more recently to the newly launched El Gouna Film Festival on the Red Sea coast of Egypt. Even stern-looking immigration officers (called police in that country) break into a smile the moment they find out that I am from India, and there to cover a movie festival They would excitedly ask me about the Kapoor clan and Shahrukh Khan, (of course) Big B and all things Bollywood.
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