In an exciting development in world cinema, Russia and India are set to collaborate on adapting Zakhar Prilepin's popular Russian short story 'The Eight' into a Hindi feature film, with production slated to begin in 2025.
According to a statement from the Zakhar Prilepin International Humanitarian Foundation, the joint project is a significant step forward in strengthening collaboration in the film industry among BRICS nations.
"Producers from Russia and India have signed a memorandum of intent to establish collaboration in the field of cinematography," the foundation explained.
The adaptation will involve Russian producers Dimitr Todorov and Yusup Bakhshiyev, known for their recent work on the series 'Militiaman's Romance' based on Prilepin's writings. They will be working alongside Indian producers Jaan Nissar Lone and Arvind Kumar, who have previously been involved in many big Bollywood projects.
Indian producer Jaan Nissar Lone emphasized the power of film to bring reality to a wider audience and introduce global audiences to the rich cultural landscapes of Russia.
"Russia is in many ways similar to India... Russia resembles North India or Mumbai. This connection can be reflected in cinema… By making films about Russia, we can introduce the world to its culture and way of life. Political speeches interest few, but if they are presented through cinema, they capture the interest of many," Lone said.