New Delhi, February 26: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a two-day visit to Israel, where he received a warm welcome from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. During the reception, Netanyahu remarked that if a Bollywood film were made about the India-Israel friendship, it would be a tremendous hit.
This comment highlights the strong ties and cultural exchange between the two nations. Netanyahu has previously expressed Israel’s fondness for Bollywood, noting the deep connection in the cinema sector during his visit to India in 2018.
Modi’s current visit marks his second trip to Israel since the historic visit in 2017. The two leaders are discussing cooperation in security, economy, technology, and cultural exchanges.
A film co-production agreement between India and Israel was established in 2018 during Netanyahu’s visit to India. This agreement was approved by the Union Cabinet under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership.
Under this agreement, co-produced films receive national production status in both countries, allowing Indian filmmakers access to international funding, scriptwriting, talent, and distribution support.
According to the Indian government’s Ministry of External Affairs, the agreement facilitates the shared use of creative, technical, financial, and marketing resources between the two nations. Co-produced films can participate in film festivals in both countries as domestic films, and there are incentives for production and post-production.
This agreement is proving beneficial in creating employment for artistic and technical personnel, enhancing cultural exchange, and strengthening goodwill between the people of both nations.
During his 2018 visit to India, Netanyahu met with Bollywood stars including Amitabh Bachchan and Imtiaz Ali at the ‘Shalom Bollywood’ event. He extended an invitation to shoot Bollywood films in Israel, reiterating that both Israel and he have a fondness for Bollywood.
He promised that Bollywood films would increase in Israel, reflecting the strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries, which now extend beyond defense, agriculture, energy, and pharmaceuticals to include the film sector as well.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
