'Barfi' goes to Turkey

Ranbir Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra starrer "Barfi!" is all set to get a commercial release in Turkey. Said to be the first Indian movie to get a mainstream release in the country, it will hit close to 40 screens May 10.

Story of a dumb and mute boy who falls in love with an autistic girl will be released with Turkish subtitles.

"Turkey is a place where my grandfather (Raj Kapoor) has a great following even today. To see my film getting a wide theatrical release in the same country is a huge compliment. I am very excited about this, " said Ranbir, who bagged best actor trophies at Filmfare, Screen, Zee Cine, Apsara Producer's Guild awards for playing Barfi.

Continuing its endeavour to open new international markets for Indian cinema, UTV is said to be the first Indian studio to enter Turkey on this scale with "Barfi!"

One of the most successful films of 2012, the Anurag Basu directed drama won critical acclaim too in the form of top honours at all key awards in the country. The film was India's official entry to the Academy Awards 2012.

"I am extremely happy that a story I have lived with over so many years has in the last few months received global recognition and now is geared towards greater opportunities, including mainstream releases in non- traditional markets, " said Basu.



Thanks to "Barfi!" success, the director too walked away with trophies at all major awards in the country for narrating the heartwarming tale on celluloid so beautifully.

Amrita Pandey, executive director, international distribution, syndication and Disney Media Distribution, Studios, Disney UTV, said that "Barfi!" had appealed to a global audience.

"After its screening at the prestigious Busan and Marrakech film festivals last year, the film continues to receive accolades from all quarters including the Grand Jury Award at the prestigious Okinawa Film Festival in Japan. 'Barfi!' is the widest release for any Hindi film in Turkey, " she added.

Firat Dilbaz of Cinemajestic, film exhibitors in Turkey, said that for many years Turkish audiences have not watched Indian movies in theatres and "we are excited to have a critical and commercial success such as 'Barfi!' as the first on this scale".

"We are currently showing trailers of the film on over 200 screens and the response from the audiences has been extremely encouraging, " he added.