Chinese director Jia Zhangke (third right), with members representing other BRICS countries, receive the Panda Award for the coproduction, Where Has Time Gone?, during the 2nd BRICS Film Festival in Chengdu, Sichuan province.

More coproductions

Speaking about Indian movies, Ashok Parmar, head of the Indian delegation, says that in recent years, Indian movies have become popular in the Chinese mainland market, thanks to Dangal, P.K. and Three Idiots, all starring Indian superstar Aamir Khan.

He says cinema is part of India's soft power with most of its globally successful hits resonating with audiences beyond its borders.

Parmar also says India and China－two countries both with rich culture and abundant history－can make more films on contemporary themes.

The two countries signed a film coproduction agreement in 2014, and to date have coproduced several movies, such as Jackie Chan's movie Kung Fu Yoga and Huang Xiaoming's Xuanzang.

India produces more than 1,000 films in around 20 languages every year.

As for Russia, Boris Mashtaler, head of the Russian delegation, says Chinese filmmakers once used to be influenced a lot by Russian movies and this is now seeing a revival.