Where else are Bollywood movies screened on TV daily, outside India? Prime Minister Narendra Modi immediately asked this moving question in his WAVES 2025 keynote answer with an air of pride: “Russia.” In an action that had the audience clapping, Modi welcomed the daily screenings of Bollywood films on Russian television as one of the best examples of expanding Indian cultural influences globally.

PM Modi referred to such an event as a triumph of Indian soft power whereby stories, melodies, and emotions of movies produced in India have quietly brought nations closer to each other, especially New Delhi to Moscow.

Putin Applauds Bollywood’s Popularity in Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin made a special remark on Indian Cinema in a press conference on October 18, 2024, preceding the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, on October 22-23, 2024. He underlined the huge popularity of Indian films in Russia, remarking that they are more popular than the films of any other BRICS country. Putin said that there is a special 24-hour television channel within Russia that only broadcasts Indian movies, highlighting the cultural affinity between the two nations.

Bollywood Throwback! “Russia has a Channel that Shows Indian Cinema Day & Night” – Putin

The Russian president has often spoken about Bollywood stealing hearts in ??. https://t.co/FJAVit4SPg pic.twitter.com/RfG8nVroiH

— RT_India (@RT_India_news) May 1, 2025

Historical Affinity for Indian Cinema

Russia’s appreciation of Indian movies goes as far back as the Soviet era, when movies such as Awaara and Disco Dancer took Russia by storm, planting Bollywood firmly in the national psyche. That historical appeal has come roaring back with vigor as Russian viewers connect with Indian storylines, song, and dance, and tap into the universal themes of family, romance, and heroism.

Which Russian Channels Showing Indian Movies Every Day?

Several Russian TV stations have identified and responded to this increasing interest:

Zee TV Russia: First launched in 2007, the channel combines Bollywood films with Indian television shows dubbed into Russian. Through the rebranding to “More than Bollywood,” Zee TV Russia has further diversified its offerings to include yoga, cooking programs, reality television, and information about Bollywood personalities, devoting prime-time airtime to Indian films and series.

Indiyskoye Kino (Индийское Кино): Russian 24-hour television channel dedicated solely to Indian cinema, airing a broad selection of content from Bollywood classics to contemporary blockbusters, all of which are dubbed into Russian.

Indiya (Индия): Russian channel with a similar focus on Indian programming, airing a range of Indian movies and ancillary programming, further evidence of the popularity of Indian film among Russians.

Political Endorsements and Cultural Collaborations

The importance of Indian films in Russia has caught the attention of the highest political circles. Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized the popularity of Indian movies, citing the fact that Russia has a round-the-clock TV channel showing Indian films. He was optimistic about further promoting Indian films in Russia and stated his readiness to raise the issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Cultural collaboration has also enhanced this relationship. Movie festivals like the ‘Indian Summer’ Film Week and the Indian Film Festival 2024 in Russia have screened a range of Indian movies, from award-winning films to box office successes and independent productions, which are a reflection of the close cultural ties between the two nations.

Sealing the Void Left by Hollywood

The exit of Hollywood studios from Russia in 2022 left a huge void in the entertainment sector. Indian films have successfully plugged this gap, with RRR, Pathaan, and Pushpa registering huge success in Russian theaters and on television. This development not only meets the entertainment demands of Russian viewers but also paves the way for increased cultural exchange and cooperation between India and Russia.