Bollywood flicks charm film buffs in Poland

Film buffs in Poland have been enjoying a cinematic treat during a month-long Hindi film festival held across 12 places in the country.

Shahrukh Khan is not the only craze among Polish youth. Ashutosh Gowarikar's epic romance Jodhaa Akbar attracted movie buffs in hordes during the fest called 'Ticket to Bollywood'.

"'Jodhaa Akbar' gives us a few glimpses of the medieval history of India. All these years we were glued to the beauty of the Taj Mahal alone. Now we can understand the intricacies of a secular experiment of the great Mughal king Akbar," Gabellia Krzyzowska, a zealous Indophile, is quoted as saying.

"The beauty of Aishwarya Rai is breathtaking and the former Miss World has graduated into a fine star," said Krzyzowska's husband Janusz, who is a leading Indologist.

If the majestic beauty of "Jodhaa Akbar", which had Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya in the lead, impressed film buffs, Aparna Sen's Mr. and Mrs. Iyer also left a deep impression on audiences.

Other notable entries were Shah Rukh Khan's offbeat film Paheli , Director Nagesh Kukunoor's Dor and Ajay Devgan's U Me Aur Hum . All the movies had Polish subtitles and they were shown in 12 important places including Warsaw, Poznan, Krakow, Gdansk and Wroclaw. Even medium-sized hill station Nowy Sonch was included for the first time.

The craze for Bollywood films in Poland started with Karan Johar's Shah Rukh-starrer Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham , which was screened way back in January 2005. Since then there has been almost a flood of Bollywood films being screened in Poland.

or subscribe in as a reader