UNITED KINGDOM: Some of Bollywood's biggest stars attend the world premiere of "Raavan" in London

Record ID: 218977

  • Title: UNITED KINGDOM: Some of Bollywood's biggest stars attend the world premiere of "Raavan" in London
  • Date: 17th June 2010
  • Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (JUNE 16, 2010) (REUTERS) FANS AT BARRIER ABHISHEK BACHCHAN AND AISHWARYA RAI ALONG RED CARPET FANS ON BALCONY
  • Embargoed: 2nd July 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: United Kingdom
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Reuters ID: LVADY8R4SSKIE4V9KQUVDXIWD00N
  • Story Text: Bollywood star couple Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai walk the red carpet in London for the world premiere of their latest film, "Raavan."
    Bollywood came to London on Wednesday (June 16) as Indian cinema's biggest star couple, husband and wife Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan hit the red carpet for the world premiere of "Raavan."
    Hundreds of screaming fans lined the red carpet at the British Film Institute next to the River Thames.
    Their enthusiasm was fully reciprocated by the two screen stars.
    "It's wonderful. I mean, look at the reception we've got, we are feeling on top of the world and so happy that we came to London to premiere the film," Abhishek Bachchan told Reuters Television.
    In the film Aishwarya Rai plays a dancer and wife of a police inspector, abducted by a ruthless bandit (Abhishek Bachchan) who takes her hostage at his jungle hide-out.
    All of the actors performed their own stunts in the film but leading lady Aishwarya Rai said the production was as taxing emotionally and creatively as it was physically. Two versions of the movie were filmed back to back - one in Hindi and one in Tamil.
    "I stay drenched for a very long time - which is called the duration of the film. But you know we all keep referring, like we were saying earlier today, we talk about how hard it was physically but, that apart, it was creatively challenging for all of us and that's the kind of challenge actors enjoy. So we truly cherished this entire experience," she said.
    Also attending the world premiere to lend some family support - and sending fans into an even bigger frenzy - were Abhishek Bachchan's parents, legends of Bollywood cinema Abitabh Bachchan and his wife Jaya Bhaduri.
    "To come to a venue like this, to see your son, your daughter in law, members of the family all together. We had another program, we had to be back in India for another function but Jaya said the children, it's a great day for them and I think we ought to be there for them so that's why we're here," Bachchan Sr. said, adding: "I wish I could go back 40 years and come to one of my premieres when I was in the 70's and making movies because this is just amazing, we've never seen anything like this before and it just shows the love and affection that people outside of India have for our films."
    The film also stars Tamil superstar Vikram in his Bollywood debut as police inspector, Dev. The actor said he hopes to make a mark among newer audiences who hadn't heard of him until now.
    "It's fantastic, it's fantastic. This is my first Hindi film so I'm very excited because I'm going to get a totally new audience that kind of gave me a thrill," he said.
    A huge boost in investment in the Bollywood film industry in recent years has seen Indian movies receiving much wider global distribution. Last May the Bollywood film 'Kites' had the widest ever release for any film production to date.
    Director Mani Ratnam, who is to be honoured with the "Glory to the Filmmaker" award the at the next Venice Film Festival, said that Bollywood films had experienced popular appeal in the United Kingdom ahead of the global trend.
    "I think the UK has always been open to Indian films and is getting more and more now. It becomes a platform where we can showcase it to the rest of the world," he said.
    Raavan opens in UK cinemas on June 18.
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