From Russia With Love

Snow, shopping and songs... Harshvardhan Rane recounts the memories of his trip to Moscow and St. Petersburg in Russia in a chat

- Suman Sharma

Russia and Bollywood have always enjoyed a mutual admiration. It’s no secret that Raj Kapoor is the wonder word in Russia. His film Awaara, released as Brodiaga (the vagabond) in Russian, was a rage. The title song, Awara hoon, came to be played not only during celebrations but also at official banquets. The younger generation, of course, has its heart beating for Shah Rukh Khan. “People in Moscow are crazy about Indian movies. After Raj Kapoor, they love Mithunda (Chakraborthy) and Shah Rukh Khan,” says South superstar Harshvardhan Rane, whose Hindi debut Sanam Teri Kasam was showcased at the Bollywood film festival in Moscow last year along with blockbusters like Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Sultan and Dum Laga Ke Haisha. “These were shown in 26 cities in Russia,” says Harshvardhan who attended the 15-day festival with friend Vikramaditya Singh. “On the first day of the event, I danced to Jimmy Jimmy aaja from Mithunda’s Disco Dancer. They were ecstatic and started calling me Jimmy after that,” he smiles. He feels lucky that he also got a chance to go sightseeing in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Harshvardhan Rane recounts his visit to Moscow - considered the heart and St. Petersburg – the head of Russia... in his own words...

MOMENTS IN MOSCOW

Moscow is the 869 year-old capital of the former Soviet Union. It’s the second most populous city in Europe, after Istanbul. Architectural gems from the time of the Russian Empire abound in Moscow. Kremlin, which means a fortress inside a city, for instance, is a fortified complex in the heart of Moscow. It overlooks the Moskva River to the south, Saint Basil’s Cathedral and Red Square to the east and the Alexander Garden to the west.