Bollywood films have always been our greatest soft export, winning hearts, beyond those of the Diaspora, in countries worldwide.
Where are the hard-core global fans? Hemantkumar Shivsharan/Rediff goes looking...
Egypt
The country that gave Awara so much love, hearts many a Bollywood hit. They are shown on TV/OTT with Arabic subtitles. And the Egyptian SRK craze ensured My Name Is Khan, Jawan, Pathaan, Zero were big.
Japan
B/Tollywood’s fanbase in Japan is growing. Film junkies run social media pages there & even cosplay as Bolly characters. The admiration for stars like Aamir Khan, Rajnikanth, Prabhas is immense.
Morocco
Folks from Tarfaya to Tangier stan the filmi dance-romance-music mantra. Moroccans are quite likely to break into a Bollywood song when they spy Indians. Bollywood-themed parties and festivals are celebrated regularly apparently.
Indonesia
Hindi film songs trend on their social media. Big B, SRK, Deepika, Ranbir, Ranveer have major following. India is called Bollywood Country. Recently, an Indonesian delegation sang Kuch Kuch Hota Hai during a banquet hosted by President D Murmu.
China
Aamir Khan films like Dangal, PK, Secret Superstar hit pay dirt across the border. The youth connected deeply with the emotional & social themes. Dangal alone earned over $190 million at the Chinese box office.
Brazil
Bollywood has a tiny but passionate fan club in this nation because its dance and emotional storytelling resonates with Brazilian culture. Indian film festivals are regularly held in São Paulo and Rio.
Russia
Right from the Soviet era, Raj Kapoor & Mithun Chakraborty were adored household names. Newer films (Pushpa: The Rise, Bahubali) have crept into young Russian hearts too. Some univs offer Hindi courses inspired by the Bolly cultural influence.
Germany
Young Germans quite enjoy our formulaic dance-music films. Faves: Dil Se, Devdas, Om Shanti Om. When Shah Rukh visits, as he did as recently as 2025, he gets a very warm (read exuberant) welcome.
Nigeria
It's an addiction there. Nigerians were early converts. Bollywood posters, right from Shammi Kapoor's Junglee days, featured at local theatres. It influences fashion, dance, music. Big B, Rishi Kapoor, Dharmendra are practically worshipped. English Vinglish grossed $842,330
Turkey
Bollywood fare is popular & easily accessible. Dangal, PK, Shah Rukh Khan’s films were loved. In 2024 the Indian Embassy, Ankara, screened Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (dubbed in Turkish, subtitled in English) as part of a public diplomacy initiative.
Algeria
Tujhe Dekha To went viral on Algerian TikTok/Instagram reels like quite a few other film songs. In 2025 Algerian Ambassador to India Ali Achoui was recognised at the Hindi Cinema Samman Awards for promoting Hindi films.
Afghanistan
Hindi film posters were once plastered on the walls of every Afghanistan movie hall. Hindi music played at weddings. It's all much more muted. Bollywood releases are unofficially/secretly available.