Egyptians have so much love and affection for Indian cinema even they did not have these films releasing in their theatres. "It was an odd situation. India is the world's biggest producer of feature films; Indian films are screened in over 90 countries; Egyptians clearly love Indian films. And yet, they couldn't find their favourite Indian films on the big screen," Indian Ambassador Navdeep Suri exclaimed.
"That's where we intervened to connect Egyptian distribution channels with Indian film producers. I am delighted that they have come together to meet the demand of Egyptian audiences," Suri added.
Speaking on the occasion, Cairo International Film Festival President Samir Farid said Indian cinema has a long tradition and that was reflected in its global influence. He further said that it was the right of Egyptian audiences to have the opportunity to see Indian films in theatres.
Egyptian actress Aida al-Kashef, the lead actress in the critically acclaimed Indian movie Ship of Theseus, expressed her delight at the development, adding that working with an Indian director for her movie was a great experience. She hoped that a strong return by Indian movies would encourage further collaboration between Indian and Egyptian film industries.
United Motion Pictures, facilitated by Gaurang Films and the Indian embassy in Cairo, will release Shahruk Khan- Deepika Padukone starrer Chennai Express in Cairo and Alexandria. In the initial run, the movie will run in eight theatres in Cairo and two in Alexandria, including all major theatres and multiplexes. The film will carry Arabic subtitles.