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Indian prime minister suggests joint film project on Queen Heo Hwang-ok to deepen cultural ties with Korea

Published: 26 Apr. 2026, 14:42 Updated: 26 Apr. 2026, 16:28

President Lee Jae Myung, left, alongside Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a summit in New Delhi on April 20. [YONHAP]

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed a joint film with Korea based on the legend of an Indian princess who, according to historical lore, traveled from ancient India to Korea to marry a Korean king.

At the expanded summit held at Hyderabad House on Monday, Modi suggested to President Lee Jae Myung that a film about the story of Queen Heo Hwang-ok be made as a joint production between Korea and India, multiple government officials confirmed on Sunday.

The proposal came as a complete surprise, with no prior consultations at the working level, but Lee reportedly responded positively. Culture Minister Chae Hwi-young was also in attendance.

Queen Heo is a figure in historical lore described in the "SamgukYusa" — a 13th-century collection of legends, folklore and historical anecdotes about ancient Korea — as a princess from Ayuta, an ancient Indian city-state widely believed to be present-day Ayodhya.

The chronicle records that she sailed to the Korean Peninsula in the year 48, almost 2,000 years ago, and married King Kim Suro, the founder of ancient Korea's city-state Geumgwan Gaya, becoming its first queen. She is considered the founding ancestor of the Gimhae Heo clan and has long stood as a symbol of Korea-India cultural ties — Gimhae and Ayodhya have established a sister-city relationship in her honor.

The two countries signed a memorandum of understanding on cultural and creative industries on the occasion of the summit.

From left, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Lee Jae Myung shakes hand during Lee's state visit to New Delhi on April 21. [NEWS1]

The joint press statement issued afterward included a declaration that the two sides had "agreed to promote cooperation in the film sector, including coproduction, training exchanges and technology sharing in animation and visual effects."

Officials from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's film division accompanied Lee on the India visit to handle the groundwork, according to sources.

"The proposal to produce the Heo Hwang-ok coproduction emerged spontaneously during the leaders' conversation and is now at the stage where we need to begin reviewing it — nothing concrete has progressed yet," a ministry official said.

India produces more films than any other country in the world — 1,572 last year.

At a luncheon hosted by Modi following the summit, Lee spoke about "3 Idiots" (2009), a hit Bollywood film, and mimicked the dance moves from its signature song "Aal Izz Well."

From left, Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Lee Jae Myung take a selfie in New Delhi on April 20. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

At the Korea-India Business Forum held on the same day, Lee directly referenced the story that Modi had proposed turning into a film.

"India's maritime civilization reached the Korean Peninsula 2,000 years ago — this is the story of Queen Heo Hwang-ok of Ayuta, who became connected with King Kim Suro of the ancient Gaya kingdom," Lee said.

"It is said that when Queen Heo's ship encountered fierce waves, the Pasa Stone Pagoda she had brought aboard calmed the sea and opened the way," Lee said.

"The Pasa Stone Pagoda represents humanity's unwavering will to overcome danger and uncertainty and forge new paths. Had the voyage been abandoned out of fear of the waves, our bond would never have begun."

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY HA JUN-HO [[email protected]]