When the record breaking “Chennai Express”, starring Shahrukh Khan, was released, there was excitement not just in India, but also in distant Peru. This movie was released in Peru on the same day it hit theatres in India.
And it seems, Latin America’s Peru (also known as the Land of the Incas) has been hooked on to the Bollywood culture for some time now. Lets explore Bollywood’s connection with Peru!
Bollywood Movies Shot in Peru
Though not many Indian movies have been shot in this Latin American Country yet, Shankar’s blockbuster movie “Robot” (Endhiran in Tamil), starring superstar Rajnikant & Aishwarya Rai, had one entire song shot in “Mount Picchu” in Peru.
Here’s the video of the song ‘Kilimanjaro’ from Robot
Bollywood Fans in Peru
Contrary to what many people believe, Bollywood movies have been rooted in Peruvian hearts for long. As per the Peruvian Bollywood enthusiasts, this Latin American country got hooked on to Bollywood way back in the 1970s after the screening of movies like “Mother India” and “Mera Naam Joker”. These guys know by heart the Hindi film songs and dialogues of most popular Bollywood movies.
The head of Lima-based Indian Cinema Fan Association says that after the 70s, there was a long lull, followed by a revival in the early 2000s, a common phenomenon observed in most countries.
Despite a small Indian diaspora in Peru, films like ‘3 Idiots’, ‘My Name Is Khan’, received an overwhelming response in the Spanish-speaking nation.
However culturally, the passion never died because it passed on from parents to children. This is why most of Peruvians know at least a little of Indian cinema, and most are an avid fan of Shah Rukh Khan.
The Lima-based Indian Cinema Fan Association, says aims to create a cultural and artistic movement related to the film industry of India, in various languages like Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Punjabi. It also organizes weekend Bollywood choreography workshops and Bollywood-themed parties to promote the Indian film genre.
Check out this Flash mob comprising of some Bollywood-crazy fans in Lima, Peru dancing to popular bollywood songs. Must watch!
Peru Tourism
Peru is located in western ‘South America’, bordered in the north by Ecuador and Colombia, in the east by Brazil, in the southeast by Bolivia, in the south by Chile, and in the west by the Pacific Ocean.
Capital: Lima
Dialing code: 51
Currency: Peruvian nuevo sol
Official language: Spanish Language
Peru is a magical spot with rich ancient cultures and a rich colonial tradition, and has one of the richest biodiversities of Earth. While Peru inevitably evokes images of Machu Picchu and the Inca empire, the country is also riddled with archaeological sites which are a legacy of even more ancient times.
