In a heartwarming display of cultural affinity, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with open arms during his two-day visit to Israel. Amid the warm reception on February 26, Netanyahu quipped that a Bollywood film capturing the brotherly bond between India and Israel would be a massive blockbuster.
This light-hearted remark underscores the deepening ties between the two nations, extending far beyond diplomacy into the vibrant world of cinema. Bollywood enjoys immense popularity in Israel, and collaborative efforts in filmmaking have been steadily growing. Netanyahu himself echoed these sentiments back in 2018 during his visit to India, highlighting the mutual admiration for each other’s cinematic treasures.
PM Modi’s current trip marks his second official visit to Israel since the landmark 2017 journey that set new benchmarks in bilateral relations. High-level discussions are underway, covering critical areas like security, economic partnerships, technological innovations, and cultural exchanges.
A pivotal moment in this cinematic collaboration came in 2018 with the signing of a landmark film co-production agreement during Netanyahu’s India tour. Approved under PM Modi’s leadership by the Union Cabinet, this pact grants co-produced films national status in both countries. It opens doors for Indian filmmakers to access international funding, script development support, talent pooling, and enhanced distribution networks.
According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the agreement facilitates the shared use of creative, technical, financial, and marketing resources. Co-productions can participate in each other’s film festivals as domestic entries, benefiting from incentives in production and post-production phases. This has spurred job creation among artistic and technical professionals, fostering greater cultural exchange and goodwill between the peoples of India and Israel.
During his 2018 India visit, Netanyahu attended the ‘Shalom Bollywood’ event, rubbing shoulders with icons like Amitabh Bachchan and director Imtiaz Ali. He extended an invitation for Bollywood shoots in Israel, professing his personal fondness for the industry and promising more Indian films on Israeli screens.
These cinematic bridges complement robust cooperation in defense, agriculture, energy, science, and pharmaceuticals. As leaders deliberate on future synergies, the shared love for storytelling promises to weave an even tighter fabric of friendship between these two dynamic democracies.