Dmitry Medvedev at Taj Mahal and Bollywood

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on his official visit to India stopped by the Taj Mahal mausoleum in Agra, took photos of the landmark and appreciated the acoustics inside the mausoleum.

The Russian leader marveled at the 17th century builders who had erected the white marble mausoleum and embedded its walls with semi-precious stones. Medvedev was also impressed with the 13-second echo resounding through the interior.

The Russian leader declined an offer to stay at the Taj Mahal until evening and to enjoy the wonderful view during the full moon. Medvedev left Agra for Mumbai, subsequently visiting the Indian Institute of Technology and the Bollywood film industry.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev visited the Mumbai-based Indian Institute of Technology, telling its professors and students that he had once worked at the Technology Institute in Leningrad, now St. Petersburg. “I worked there as a laboratory assistant for 12 months, dealing with control systems automation,” Medvedev said.
Before the meeting, Medvedev inspected the institute’s state-of-the-art R&D laboratory.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev visited one of the largest Bollywood studios, discussing possible bilateral cooperation in the film industry with Russian and Indian filmmakers and visiting the set of an Indian film.

Just like Hollywood, Bollywood, the informal name for the Hindi-language film industry, includes most film-and-television studios in Mumbai and its environs.
When the Russian leader arrived at Yash Raj Films (YRF) studio, he was shown the Russian-Indian “Hindu” series, the latest bilateral production starring Russian and Indian actors.

Medvedev met with Russian and Indian filmmakers, recalling his first experience with Indian films in the early 1970s.
Photo: Dmitry Medvedev visiting Bollywood studios. Background from right: Russian actors Marat Basharov and Yegor Beroyev.