Mehmood Ali of Pen N Camera To open its First Indo-Russian School in Mumbai with Russian Collaboration

Russia and India will open its first joint film school venture this year, which will train actors, who are familiar with the contemporary cinematic traditions of both countries, head of Chechen Film’s Beslan Terekbaev informs.”We have agreed with our Indian partners to open an International Film School in Mumbai and we plan to open it on December 1, 2017. Russia will be represented by Chechen Film, and India by Pen N Camera International, which is among the top five leading Indian film distribution companies,” Terekbaev reveals’.

Indians are interested in the European approach to cinematography that is why they greeted the news about school’s creation with such huge interest. They are going to bring specialists from Russia to teach at this school and plan to invite teachers from other countries as well.

Likewise, Indian students will be the first to enrolled at the school and there are plans to open six branches of the school in the North Caucasus and other Russian regions that will be staffed by Indian teachers. Plans are also in store to have a social outreach program, where children from poor and disadvantaged families will be recruited into the youth program.

According to head of Pen N Camera, Mehmood Ali, the first program will have 200 students which will last for a   year after and the students will receive an official diploma. The course study for students includes acting,  and dance which is a significant factor for Indian cinema including other specialized subjects and even yoga.

The announcement of the school’s opening comes at a perfect time, just as the filming of the first Russian-Indian movie titled Best Friends, has gotten underway in the South Asian country. Many popular Indian actors are participating in the project, including the Bollywood’s disco dancer Mithun Chakraborty.

Best Friends, a children’s adventure feature film is about three boys – Russian, Chechen and Indian, and is set in Russia and India. It is a joint Chechenfilm and Pen N Camera International Production. The project has been able to materialize due to support of the Russian Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of North Caucasus Affairs.

The film, set to premier in December 2017, is one of the many projects to honor the establishment of Russian-Indian diplomatic relations 70 years ago. The best part of the movie is specifically caters to kids.

It’s been a long time since Russian Cinema has witnessed children films, especially International ones, the movie connects different cultures, religions, languages. One can say that there is no casting mistakes. Everyone has acted very well and all the young actors eyes are filled with excitement. There are  lot of children, comprising three protagonist actors and out of the 40 secondary roles, 20 are kids.

There is already talk of a sequel Best Friends 2, for which Chinese counterparts will join the project.