Mar 4, 2022, 7:09 PM IST
Amidst the Russia-Ukraine war, countries have been snapping up rights to 'Servant of the People', a famous comedy series starring Volodymyr Zelenskyy as the Ukrainian President.
In the 2015 series, former actor and comedian Zelenskyy played the role of a high school teacher named Vasiliy Petrovich Goloborodko, who became President of Ukraine after a student's video of him denouncing official corruption in the country goes viral.
A hit in Ukraine, where it ran for three seasons, and a spin-off movie, interest in the show has peaked since Zelenskyy became the face of the nation as it continues to endure attacks from Russia.
Since its launch, Eccho Rights has distributed the series made by Zelenskyy's Studio Kvartel 95. Nicola Soderlund, Eccho Rights Managing Partner, has said that the sales for rights to telecast the show has increased dramatically in the last few days.
Zelenskyy's profile has skyrocketed during the invasion as he tirelessly advocates for Ukraine, appearing with countrymen and on near-constant video addresses. Turning down an offer to escape the country had also made him a hero to many watching.
So far, Eccho Rights has donated 50,000 euros to the Ukrainian Red Cross, and the company has also removed all Russian produced TV shows from its catalogue.
'Servant of the People' bagged the best feature series award at the Teletriumph Awards in Ukraine and won the Gold Remi Award for Television Comedy at the 2016 WorldFest in Houston.
Also read: Ukraine war: Shakhtar Donetsk youth team coach 'killed by Russian bullet'