From State Visit to Screen Spotlight, Shared Storytelling Deepens Strategic Partnership.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded his recent state visit to Israel with a lighter yet symbolically resonant moment, sharing a selfie with the stars of the acclaimed Israeli action series Fauda. Posting the image to his millions of followers, Modi quipped, “Thankfully, this interaction required only a selfie, no undercover work,” a humorous nod to the show’s intense espionage themes.
Fauda has achieved notable popularity in India, where audiences embraced its fast-paced storytelling and counter-terrorism narrative. The series’ success led to an Indian adaptation titled Tanaav, reflecting the growing cultural exchange between the two democracies. While the Israeli original centers on Middle Eastern security dynamics, the Indian remake shifts its focus to regional tensions between India and Pakistan.
Tanaav’s first twelve-episode season is set in 2017 Kashmir and follows an undercover special military unit navigating high-risk operations. The adaptation was produced by Applause Entertainment and directed by Sudhir Mishra and Sachin Mamta Krishn, with writing by Ishan Trivedi and Sudhir Mishra. By contextualizing the storyline within India’s own security landscape, the remake retains the dramatic intensity of the original while resonating with domestic audiences.
Modi’s public engagement with the Fauda cast highlights how entertainment can complement diplomacy. Beyond defense cooperation, technology partnerships, and trade expansion, India and Israel increasingly share creative collaborations that strengthen people-to-people connections.
The selfie moment, though informal, underscores a broader narrative of deepening India-Israel ties, where shared storytelling and mutual admiration reinforce an already robust strategic partnership.
