Indian films return to Egypt after 25 years

Cairo, Sep 27: Superstar Shah Rukh Khan's blockbuster Chennai Express is all set for a trip to Egypt this October thus marking the return of Bollywood in the country after a gap of 25 years.

The Indian Embassy yesterday announced the return of Indian movies to Egyptian theatres from October this year. United Motion Pictures, facilitated by Gaurang Films and the Indian Embassy in Cairo, will bring to Egyptian audiences their much loved Indian actors and actresses on the big screen.

Chennai Express, starring Shah Rukh and Deepika Padukone will hit Egyptian theatres in Cairo and Alexandria starting October 2.

In the initial run, the movie will run in 8 theatres in Cairo and two theatres in Alexandria, including at all major theatres and multiplexes.

Chennai Express will be followed by other equally big releases such as Krissh 3, starring Hrithik Roshan and Dhoom 3, starring Aamir Khan, this December. All films will carry Arabic subtitles.

Welcoming the development, the Indian Ambassador in Cairo, Navdeep Suri, remarked that no conversation about India in Egypt is complete without a mention of Indian cinema.

"The return of Indian films marks an important step in strengthening people to people ties between the two countries. It is an affirmation of the love and affection that Egyptians, across all walks of life, continue to hold for India. Even when Bollywood did not play at theatres, Egyptians followed the fortunes of their favourite actors and actresses," Suri said.

"I am constantly amazed by the passion with which so many Egyptians follow Indian films - even in places like a small village near Komombo which I visited recently. While the older generation recalls classics like Sangam and Suraj, the younger generation seems to be much more in tune with Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan," he said.

The return of Indian films to Egyptian theatres also takes place as India celebrates 100 years of cinema. The timing of the movie to be released is quite appropriate for Egyptians who will be celebrating Bayram mid-October.