The USSR and India made a number of joint films, the first of which was a wonderful film "Journey Beyond Three seas".
"Mutual interest and respect for the national culture of each other’s nations, naturally led to the idea of creation of a joint production. In 1954, during the visit of Indian filmmakers to the USSR, negotiations were held in Moscow. "The Soviet side expressed the wish that the material of such a joint film should be equally interesting audiences in both India and in the Soviet Union," recalls the Indian writer and Director H. A. Abbas. — From the Soviet writer Boris Polevoy I heard about the Russian traveler of the 15th century Afanasy Nikitin, who reached India and lived for three years among the peasants of Maharashtra and the people of South India. I suggested this idea to the Soviet side: it was immediately approved, then a series of negotiations began. I suggested that joint production was carried out entirely on an equal footing: to have two Directors — Soviet and Indian, two producers, etc. and should be started with the cooperation of the Indian and Soviet writers. I and Maria Smirnova will jointly write this".
Indeed, we must admit that the very idea of the first joint film was extremely successful.
"Afanasy Nikitin was the first in Russia who lifted the veil of mystery over India, interestingly and truthfully told in his "Journey beyond Three Seas" about everything he saw during his travels, colorfully described the nature of India, life and customs of its people.
Famous Russian Indologist Minaev mentions the travel notes of Nikitin as an important source for the history of India, where the sharp eye of the traveler was able to see not only the fancy rich flora and fauna of the country, the fabulous splendor of life of the nobility, but also the presence of social contrasts."
The authors of the film deliberately abandoned the traditional end-to-end plot. Taking the travel diary of Afanasy Nikitin as a basis, they made a film as if from separate episodes and scenes, like a mosaic, each piece of which is part of a complex panel. The link was the presence of the main character, and everything that happens is given as if through the prism of perception of Afanasy. The image of the pioneer Nikitin became one of the creative successes of the Soviet actor Oleg Strizhenov.
And it is not only in winning external acclaim for the artist, which embodies the classic idea of the Russian style, beauty, blond with an open face and bright blue eyes, but primarily in the fact that Strizhenova managed to enact human nature, which harmoniously combines kindness, breadth of soul, their innocence, etc.
In Afanasy there at first glance, nothing heroic. Courageous and persevering character of this man is revealed gradually, and Afanasy Nikitin appeared before the audience not as an adventurer, a seeker of adventure or enterprising merchant, whose aim is the discovery of new trade routes, but primarily as a scientist, researcher, the meaning of all travel which is to learn about distant countries get more acquainted with the culture and lifestyle of other peoples. Altruism and nobility are in this man's blood. And it is the willingness to sacrifice himself for knowledge that makes him, as soon as he has recovered from a serious illness, once again embark on a difficult journey.
Paintings of Ancient Russia and India replace one another as Nikitin moves to the East. The traveler will have to go through a lot of exciting adventures before he, exhausted and drained, gets off the ship on the Indian shore. First Russian, who reached India, Afanasy Nikitin personified that part of the Russian people, which even in those distant times sought to establish friendly contacts with other Nations.
"He came to India without any selfish goals or secret intentions," wrote the Indian writer Bhisham Sahni. "He lived among the people, communicated closely with them, which gave him the opportunity to deeply explore the country and the lives of ordinary people."
The main theme of the film-the establishment of sincere and friendly contacts between the Russian traveler and the Indians - was revealed in the film with great force and persuasiveness.
The participation of talented artists such as Balraj Sahni, Prithviraj Kapoor, Nargis, Padisha and others in the film contributed greatly to the successful execution of the film. In his meetings with the Indians, Afanasy has to deal with a variety of people, representatives of different classes and social groups. On his way there and the poor (the street singer was Sakareli or Champa, a girl who fell in love with Nikitin) and the powers that be. Different faces, different characters... However, and it is repeatedly emphasized by authors, irrespective of the position, religion and character all these people aspire to live in the world — this author's thought is clearly seen in each meeting of Nikitin.
The first film, created by the joint efforts of Soviet and Indian filmmakers, was a film document that once again demonstrated to the world the unity of views existing between our peoples on many issues of foreign policy
Abbas later recalled: "during the filming in India, we again and again convinced each other that our work is entirely consistent with the spirit of friendship. A variety of people — poor merchants, students, peasants, fishermen, boatmen and even priests from the temple — sought to help us when they learned that we were working with Soviet filmmakers."
It is impossible to say that the movie "Journey Beyond Three Seas" was not without flaws. Of course, the difference in acting schools, different creative manners of H.-A. Abbas and V. Pronin made themselves felt, but in General, assessing the film today, it is impossible not to admit that the first experience of joint production was successful. Critics and journalists, scientists and ordinary viewers noted that the film "Journey Beyond Three Seas" is an important and successful milestone in the cultural life of both countries.
Western countries, which have repeatedly attempted joint productions with India, considered the participation of the Indian side as an auxiliary (the use of nature, technical staff studios, cheap "extras" , etc.), "Journey Beyond Three seas" was an example of equal cooperation between the two cinematographic countries with different aesthetic, artistic and creative principles." ....
From the book "Cinema of India", a excerpt of the article by I. Zvegintsev "Joint Soviet-Indian films".M., 1988