Bollywood’s date with Russia

Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev is expected to hand out an open invitation  to make B-Town films in Russia to a Bollywood delegation headed by film-maker Aditya Chopra. It is learned that he’s meeting the delegation today. The venue, which was earlier supposed to be Film City in Goregaon, has been twice shifted from RK Studios in Chembur and now to Yashraj Studios at Andheri.

“The President will be meeting the Bollywood delegation and is expected to announce a few sops for Bollywood filmmakers who will be coming and shooting in Russia. He is also expected to talk about the connection that Bollywood shares with Russia right from the days of Raj Kapoor. In fact, he will be paying homage to the actor too,” says a source. According to the source, prominent members of the Kapoor family including Rishi Kapoor are expected to attend the meet too.

Though the names of people attending this meeting are being kept under wraps, the actors and filmmakers who are close to film-maker Yash Chopra have already been sent an invitation.

According to sources, director Karan Johar, film-maker Imtiaz Ali, actors Saif Ali Khan and Rani Mukherjee might be present there along with Aditya and a couple of leading producers.

“Medvedev is also expected to request filmmakers to open film institutes there,” added the source, saying that the Russian secret service has already completed their mock security drills at the studio.

Bollywood is a big draw in Russia and is expected to accrue more revenue for the government if given a push.