Ayush Kumar Jaiswal
Tel Aviv: In order to enhance the cultural partnership between Israel and India, distinguished figures from both the Israeli and Indian film industries are interacting to explore mutual synergies & collaboration. As an important step in this direction, a top film delegation from India arrived in Tel Aviv on Sunday, on a trip organised by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Indian delegation is comprised of noted filmmaker-actor & branding specialist Rahul Mittra, CEO of Producers Guild of India Nitin Tej Ahuja, head honchos of VFX & film exhibition companies, amongst others. The Indian side is interacting with Israeli filmmakers, actors, local media, AI specialists & government authorities over a six day trip, apart from visiting filming locations in Tel Aviv, Jerusalam & Haifa. Nurit Tinari, Head of Bureau for Cultural Diplomacy Israel said, “This is a landmark step in the direction of people-to-people connection between Israel and India. Indian cinema enjoys popularity in Israel, while Israeli series like Fauda have also gained a dedicated fan following in India. As we celebrate this milestone, we look forward to both are ancient civilisations coming closer which will further strengthen our friendship.”
Rahul Mittra who has led multiple Indian film delegations across the globe said, “Cinema has a remarkable potential to engage and with the Indian film industry poised to captivate the world, we are constantly on the lookout for new locations & fresh stories. Israel & India share historical and cultural similarities and we are elated to travel to Israel to enhance cultural exchange & explore collaboration in the arts.” Leading Israeli Filmmakers Alon Gur Arye & Elad Peleg, Shai Shimshon, owner of Movieland Cinema Chain and Bollywood TV Channels, popular TV & film actor and star of widely watched Netflix series Fauda, Tsahi Halevi, Indian diplomats Garcia Tejeswar and Sayali, Head of the Indian Cultural Center in Israel, Micha Ronen, former Head of India Bureau and Haifa Mayor Yonah Yahav are some of the prominent names interacting with the visiting Indian delegates on financial incentives for Indian productions in Israel, apart from exploring other synergies. Culinary tour of Israel’s traditional dishes followed by lunch at Eucalyptus Restaurant in Tel Aviv, specializing in local produce inspired by Biblical cuisine, visit to Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Museum & guided tour of Jerusalem’s Old City will be some of the highlights during the Indian delegation’s visit.
