New Delhi: Piotr Antoni Świtalski, Poland’s ambassador to India, considers culture as a bridge that unites India and Poland, and has a particular fondness for cinema, especially Bollywood.
In an interaction at ThePrint’s newsroom Wednesday, Świtalski revealed that his daily routine involves watching at least one movie every evening, while giving a deep dive into the world of films as a primary means of cultural connection.
“I like watching movies. I watch one movie every night, every evening, almost,” the ambassador said, underscoring that Indian films have carved out a significant and permanent niche in the Polish cultural landscape.
He said Bollywood movies are a staple across Polish television, which provides 24×7 broadcast with Polish subtitles to a wider audience.
“The Bollywood channel is the only film channel, in addition to Turkish soap operas’ channel, available in Poland across all TV provider networks. Therefore, yes, you can watch Bollywood movies in Poland 24 hours a day with Polish subtitles, and these are popular movies,” Świtalski added.
According to him, the Bollywood connection is not merely anecdotal but has taken an institutional shape. He said the connection between Polish soil and Indian cinema is rooted in deep respect for film dynasties.
Citing the city of Wrocław, where a statue and square stand in honour of the late poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan, also the father of Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan, Świtalski said: “I attended an event with the grandson of Bachchan, where I was able to tell the Indian public that in Wrocław, the grandfather of the young actor and the father of ‘Big B’ has a monument, has a statue dedicated to him. So, indeed, I think that Indians who come to Poland can feel at home.”
He also talked about the institutionalisation of partnership, giving the example of the upcoming Bollywood film King, which features Shah Rukh Khan alongside Abhishek Bachchan and Khan’s daughter, Suhana.
“They started shooting it in Poland,” the ambassador noted, though he mentioned the project was currently on hold and wished for its resumption.
Świtalski underlined that several Indian movies have been produced with the assistance of Polish companies. “I watched several movies which were shot in Poland and produced with the help of Polish servicing companies, but I really would like a Bollywood movie, especially a romantic comedy, to be produced in Poland,” he said.
Elaborating further, he talked about the picturesque backdrop of Poland, and said: “I really would like a romantic comedy, with an Indian guy and a Polish girl, or the other way around.”
The envoy’s investment in cinema appeared so high that he mentioned his own debut as an extra artist. “My dream is a Bollywood movie shot in Poland, with Poland in the background, with me as one of the extras,” Świtalski said.
The ambassador added that this film-centric relationship is a means to enhance people-to-people exchange, and that Polish cinematic giants like Roman Polanski and Krzysztof Kieślowski remain revered figures among Indian cinephiles. He pointed out that Kieślowski’s Three Colors Trilogy remains a personal favourite for many in India.
(Edited by Nida Fatima Siddiqui)
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