Tomatina fever sweeps through India, moving from Bollywood to Bunol

In the world of cinema, stories often transport viewers to unique and captivating destinations. One such film, El Punto Rojo, directed by Carlos Sánchez Arevalo, takes us back to 1945, recounting the humorous origins of the internationally renowned Bunyol Tomatina festival.

The director of this 2011 Spanish short film is none other than Nacho Vigalondo, a name synonymous with Spanish cinema. El Punto Rojo tells the story of Pepe, a tomato enthusiast, and the events that sparked the Bunyol Tomatina. The film has gained recognition beyond Spain's borders, adding to the festival's global appeal.

Priyanka Chopra, an Indian-born actress born in 1982, is a highly acclaimed figure in India's film industry. She has starred in numerous Bollywood productions and has also appeared in US films. In 2011, she ventured into music, collaborating with rapper Pitbull on the track "Exotic," which amassed tens of millions of streams across various platforms.

Chopra's connection to El Punto Rojo comes from her role in the film Heads of State, where she appeared in a sequence dedicated to the Bunyol festival. The 78th edition of La Tomatina, held on 27 August, featured this sequence, attracting global attention, including over 1,000 visitors from India.

The Bunyol Tomatina has been embraced by Spanish cinema, with the festival's appeal extending beyond its tomato battles. In fact, the sequence in Heads of State was recreated in a square resembling La Hoya de Bunyol. The festival attracts visitors from all corners of the globe, including China, Australia, England, the Netherlands, India, Chile, and many more.

Despite its international fame, the small town of Bunyol, with a population of just 10,000 inhabitants, remains the heart of this tomato-tossing tradition. The festival, while lasting only a few hours each year, continues to captivate audiences and participants alike, transporting them to a world of laughter, camaraderie, and the joy of a good tomato fight.