Country-study
India. How to fit dancing into any action movie
27 августа 12:50 – 14:05
Tarkovsky Hall
In recent decades, the global film industry has evolved into a key component of the world economy. Alongside Hollywood's dominance, other cultural hubs like Bollywood and Tollywood are making their mark internationally. Tollywood, the Telugu-language film industry in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, is known for its dramatic plots, vibrant musical numbers, and emotional depth. Both Bollywood and Tollywood are thriving and expanding, contributing to global culture and opening new avenues for collaboration.
Indian cinema is no longer just about flashy costumes and special effects; it now includes high-budget films rich in cultural traditions, emotional intensity, and modern visual aesthetics. According to the UN, India is a leading exporter of creative goods and services, driven by the rapid growth of its economy and creative industries, which are poised to become a significant force in regional development.
We’ve invited experts from India’s top production companies to explore the current state of Indian cinema, its international prospects, and the potential for renewed collaboration between India and Russia.
  • What are the current trends and themes in Indian cinema that resonate with audiences both domestically and globally?

  • How is Indian cinema promoted internationally, and how does it gain recognition in global markets?
  • Why are Indian producers seeking new international filming locations, and how does this boost tourism in these destinations?

  • Could Russia become an attractive location for Indian film production and distribution? What steps are needed to adapt Russian audiences to Bollywood films and make them more accessible?
Moderator:
  • Ms Anna Fonarkova
    Expert on Russian-Indian cooperation in film insdustry
Speakers:
  • Ms Shruti Rajkumar
    Head, Film Facilitation Office
    Over the last decade, Shruti Rajkumar has worked in various capacities within the content business. She has developed, anchored, and produced shows for sports and entertainment and has managed research, content, and programming acquisition strategy for the English general entertainment portfolio at Star and the infotainment portfolio at Sony.
    In her current role at Invest India, she heads the Film Facilitation Office under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India.
    The Film Facilitation Office works to create a single window to support filmmakers, both domestic and international, in navigating the process of shooting in India and availing themselves of filming rebates.
  • Mr Dil Raju
    President of the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce and Producers Guild, producer, Dil Raju Productions
  • Ms Swapna Dutt
    Producer, Vyjayanthi Movies
  • Ms Sarita Patil
    Co-founder, Matchbox Shots
    Sarita Patil brings with her 31 years of experience in strategically building content across feature films, television, and digital formats in Hindi as well as in various regional languages. She has been part of the leadership team at some of the biggest studios and production houses in India. During her last stint as Vice President at Viacom18 Motion Pictures, Sarita successfully led both the content and production teams.
    After completing the INSEAD Leadership Program for Senior Executives in 2017-2018, Sarita left the corporate side of the business to embark on her entrepreneurial journey as a Partner at Matchbox Shots.
    Matchbox Shots is a boutique production company that specializes in identifying premium content and bringing it to the screen.
  • Mr Roshan Dutt
    Independent producer
    Roshan Dutt is an experienced media professional with over 25 years in the industry, having worked across markets and languages. His career spans iconic companies like BBC Worldwide India, Freemantle India and Asia, Dong-Tay Productions Vietnam, and STAR Network. With a deep understanding of the content creation process, Roshan has managed every aspect of production—from finding the right script and adapting it for different markets to budgeting, talent hiring, creative support, and post-production. He has also worked closely with legal teams to ensure project and crew safety.
    Roshan has led production for major global formats like Popstars (India), Indian Idol (2004), Vietnam Idol (2007), Dancing with the Stars (India), Asia's Got Talent (2015), and The Remix (India, International Emmy-nominated 2019). In addition to non-scripted shows, he has produced scripted daily soaps, short films, and over a dozen shows and commercials across countries including South Africa, the UK, the USA, the UAE, Romania, and Pakistan.
  • Mr Alexander Dostal
    CEO, Etalon Film
  • Ms Lika Blank
    Russian media manager, producer of animation projects and reality shows "Treasures of the Emperor", "Jungle", "Stars in Africa"