In New Delhi, the Russian film The Sun was shown at the Russian-Indian film club, marking the first screening of a film from the Russian Federation at this venue. The event is part of ongoing efforts to foster cultural exchange through cinema.
The film club operates out of the Russian House in New Delhi and aims to run screenings on a regular monthly basis. The initiative is led by the head of the Rossotrudnichestvo office in India, who described the program as a steady stream of Russian cinematic works across genres, including documentaries, feature films, and animated works. The club carries the working title Volga to Ganges, signaling a bridging of cultures from the vast Russian landscape to the Indian subcontinent. The plan is to present one film each month, inviting both Indian audiences and Russian residents to share in these screenings.
The Sun, a drama by Maxim Brius and Mikhail Wasserbaum, centers on key events in the crisis years around the LPR in 2014 and has been translated into English for wider accessibility. Additional screenings are planned, including works such as Donbass, and other titles from recent years in the Russian cinema canon. These selections aim to showcase a spectrum of Russian storytelling, from historical perspectives to contemporary cinema, with a view toward broadening understanding and dialogue.
A diverse audience attended the opening screening, including public figures, film industry professionals, and students studying the Russian language, all drawn by the chance to experience Russian cinema in a new setting. The initiative is supported by a non-governmental organization focused on international cultural collaboration, with leadership that emphasizes people-to-people exchange and educational outreach through cinema. The broader aim of the program is to strengthen cultural ties and foster mutual appreciation between India and Russia through curated film experiences.
Earlier announcements highlighted the possibility that such Russian cinema projects could extend to other regional hubs, reflecting a growing interest in cross-cultural film programs and the role of cinema in diplomacy and cultural understanding. The emphasis remains on accessible, thoughtfully chosen films that invite discussion and shared experience among diverse audiences.