Donald Trump lauds Bollywood with special shoutout to 'DDLJ', 'Sholay'

US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi greet the public at Sardar Patel Stadium in Motera (Photo: AFP)

Ahmedabad: Amidst loud cheering at the Motera Stadium, US President Donald Trump lauded the Indian cinema industry - Bollywood - with special shout outs to classic films like 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge' (DDJL) and 'Sholay' while addressing the gathering at the 'Namaste Trump' event.

"All over the planet, people take great joy in scenes of Bhangra, music, dance, romance and drama... and classic Indian films like DDLJ and Sholay," the President said addressing the gathering. Trump also lauded the Indian cinema for its capacity of producing over 2000 movies in a year. "This is the country that produces nearly 2000 movies a year from the hub of genius and creativity known as Bollywood," Trump said.

The 'Namaste Trump' event is based on the lines of the 'Howdy Modi' programme that was addressed by Narendra Modi and Trump during the Prime Minister's trip to Houston last September. Around one lakh people gathered for the event. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani, Governor Acharya Devvrat and BCCI president Sourav Ganguly were also present at the stadium.

The US President arrived a short while ago in Ahmedabad with his wife Melania and a ministerial delegation that also included his daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner who serve as senior advisors to Trump.

A woman explains about a charkha, or spinning wheel, to US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump as Prime Minister Narendra Modi looks on during their visit at Gandhi Ashram in Ahmedabad on February 24. Photo: AFP

Prior to this, Trump and Melania also paid a short stopover at Sabarmati Ashram and spun a Charkha, which is closely associated with India's freedom struggle and Mahatma Gandhi.

Trump, who arrived here a short while ago, was welcomed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Ahmedabad Airport with a hug. In the evening, the US President will depart for Agra to catch a glimpse of the Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the world, before sunset with his family.

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