Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; July 15, 2017)

In an interview to a Russian daily, filmmaker Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra had said that he wanted his 2013 hit, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, to release in Russia. However, despite being screened at top film festivals around the world, the movie never got a theatrical release in the country. Amitabh Bachchan-starrer Ajooba (1991) was the last Indian film that hit screens in Russia.

Now, following the lead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cultural pact with the country, Tiger Shroff-starrer Munna Michael will be the first Bollywood release in Russia in over two decades. Confirming the development to mid-day, Kumar Ahuja, President Business Development, Eros International, says, “We are happy to announce the release of Munna Michael in Russia. The film has mainstream appeal that transcends language and geographical boundaries.”

Insiders say Tiger and father Jackie Shroff have a large fan base in the country. “Moreover, Russians have always been drawn to Michael Jackson. For the production house, it was a well-calculated move to venture into an untapped market,” says a source.