Indian filmmakers at this year's "Bollywood Oscars" weekend in Macau are looking beyond the lucrative market of Hollywood, into what they consider to be an even more exciting partner: China.
The selection of this southern Chinese territory as host of this year's International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) underlines Bollywood's desire to work closer with its Chinese counterpart.
Sabbas Joseph, director of the event --an annual star-studded extravaganza celebrating the prolific Hindi movie industry -- said many subjects tackled by cinema appeal to both Indian and Chinese audiences because of their common values and traditions.
"I think the Hollywood-Bollywood coming together is logical. China and India coming together is the more exciting part, because we are probably the two most exciting economies in the world," he told AFP during the three-day event attended by hundreds of India's biggest stars.
"We have one third of the world's population, if together we become a combined (audience) and a combined production force, I think it will open up new markets and vistas."
Veteran Bollywood film critic Taran Adash said the collaboration was long-awaited. "The sheer thought of China and India working together gives me a high," he told AFP.
China's technology, actors, and martial arts were "way ahead" of their Indian counterparts, and many Chinese films that were dubbed into Indian languages proved to be highly popular in India, he said.
Last year, China's nationwide box office receipts hit a record 4.2 billion yuan (610 million US), up 27 percent from 2007, thanks to a growing audience of well-off young urbanites and an increase in big-ticket Chinese films.
And the trend seems to have continued into 2009 amid the economic downturn, according to the latest figures from the State Administration for Film, Television and Radio.
In the first three months of 2009, box office receipts jumped more than 50 percent to 1.25 billion yuan.
However, China-India crossover films are still in their infancy. "Chandni Chowk to China", co-produced by Bollywood veteran Ramesh Sippy and US studio Warner Bros., bombed at the box office after opening in January.
The movie, about a lowly Indian chef who is mistaken for the reincarnation of a fabled Chinese warrior, was given thumbs down by Indian viewers and critics alike, despite being the first Hindi film to be shot on location in China.
"The two cultures are similar but really not that similar," Fred Wang, chairman of Hong Kong-based production company Salon Films and a speaker at the IIFA forum on the future of the Indian and Chinese film industries, told AFP.
"To start with, China had closed its door to the West for many years, while India is a former British colony."
He said much more needed to be done in the research of storylines and urged the two governments and film groups to set up an investment fund for such a purpose.
Wang said his company, which has helped distribute many Hollywood films in Asia, is working on a movie on buddhism targeting both Chinese and Indian markets.
He said he was confident the film would fare well, given that the religion originated from India and has spread widely to China.
However, even with a good story to tell, Bollywood filmmakers have to break through the barriers of China's highly-regulated film market.
The Chinese movie industry is protected by a quota system which only allows around 20 foreign films to be screened a year, and permission for foreign companies to shoot in the country could be difficult to obtain.
"It will take maybe three failures and just one success for it to break through. There are quite a few conversations and efforts for collaboration between the two sides. We are all waiting for the big news," Joseph said.
Showing posts with label China. Show all posts
Showing posts with label China. Show all posts
Monday, June 15, 2009
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Upcoming film is not an biographical: Akshay
Actor Akshay Kumar Tuesday said that his upcoming film "Chandni Chowk to China" was not a biographical account.
"The only similarity was that like myself in real life, the protagonist also works as a cook," Akshay who is originally from Delhi and worked as a cook in Bangkok before making it big in Bollywood, told reporters at the music launch of the film.
The actor whose recent releases have raked up over Rs 500 crore worldwide virtually threatening to upstage Bollywood 'badshah' Shah Rukh Khan, said that he owed his
success to hard work and blessings of parents.
"People like me and Shah Rukh had no forefathers in the film industry. But, we made it due to hard work and blessings of parents. If we can do it,anybody can," he said.
Akshay described "Chandni Chowk to China" as an international film which showcases Kung fu in Bollywood for the first time.
"I always want to be my character in a film and hence practicising Kung fu was very hard.
"I shared screen space with Sir Gordan Liu who introduced Kung Fu to big screen
several years ago," he said.
Akshay said "Chandni Chowk to China" starring himself with Deepika Padukone in the lead and produced by Rohan Sippy and Warner Brothers, has been a memorable experience.
"It is for the first time that a Bollywood film has been shot at the 'Great Wall of China'. Not even a Hollywood film has been shot there so far. Kung Fu requires lot of
discipline and the film will showcase the need for discipline in one's life. We need discipline in our country as well," the actor said.
"The only similarity was that like myself in real life, the protagonist also works as a cook," Akshay who is originally from Delhi and worked as a cook in Bangkok before making it big in Bollywood, told reporters at the music launch of the film.
The actor whose recent releases have raked up over Rs 500 crore worldwide virtually threatening to upstage Bollywood 'badshah' Shah Rukh Khan, said that he owed his
success to hard work and blessings of parents.
"People like me and Shah Rukh had no forefathers in the film industry. But, we made it due to hard work and blessings of parents. If we can do it,anybody can," he said.
Akshay described "Chandni Chowk to China" as an international film which showcases Kung fu in Bollywood for the first time.
"I always want to be my character in a film and hence practicising Kung fu was very hard.
"I shared screen space with Sir Gordan Liu who introduced Kung Fu to big screen
several years ago," he said.
Akshay said "Chandni Chowk to China" starring himself with Deepika Padukone in the lead and produced by Rohan Sippy and Warner Brothers, has been a memorable experience.
"It is for the first time that a Bollywood film has been shot at the 'Great Wall of China'. Not even a Hollywood film has been shot there so far. Kung Fu requires lot of
discipline and the film will showcase the need for discipline in one's life. We need discipline in our country as well," the actor said.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Bollywood now eyeing Thailand locales
Bollywood's fascination with foreign locales is not new, but Indian filmmakers seem to have taken a fancy to shooting action movies in Thailand and say it works out cheaper as compared to Europe.
At least two dozen action-adventure films during the past two years have been shot in Thailand.
In fact, recently one couldn't take two steps in Bangkok without running into a Bollywood crew. Among them were the cast and crew of Nikhil Advani's "Chandni Chowk To China", Anthony D'Souza's directorial debut "Blue" and Suniel Shetty's "Loot".
Neil Nitin Mukesh, who has been shooting there for "Freeze", told IANS: "There was so much of Bollywood in Bangkok I was confused whether I was in Mumbai or Bangkok. We did a lot of heavy duty action scenes in Bangkok. I guess the atmosphere there is conducive to crackling and bone-cracking stunts."
A producer has to reportedly shell out about $1,000 per week to shoot in Bangkok, which is much cheaper than in Europe. In terms of airfare too, Thailand is nearer and therefore cheaper.
Is this an indication of geographical aptness or plain practical common sense?
Hansal Mehta thinks it's laziness and lack of imagination that propel all actioners to Bangkok.
Soham Shah, who shot his rugged adventure film "Luck" in South Africa, said: "I think thrillers are shot in places like Bangkok and Thailand because a crime action adventure film needs a dark dingy hectic atmosphere with shady bylanes and alleys.
"Bangkok gives a certain edge to a crime drama. Because it has a history of crime behind it whereas European countries like Switzerland with their green virgin locales lend themselves well to romance."
Director Kunal Kohli, who shot his romantic films "Hum Tum" and "Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic" in Europe, thinks it's all about economics.
"Action films cost a lot of money. So they anyway need cheaper locations with good infrastructure. You get that in Southeast Asia."
Echoing the same, Sanjay Gadhvi, who shot his actioner "Kidnap" in Mumbai but went to Bangkok for one crucial action scene, said: "Why Bangkok? I'll tell you. It's more economical. Shooting shifts for action films are far more expensive. So costs are cut through cheaper locations."
Added producer Bunty Walia: "South Asian countries have the look, manpower and the expertise to execute complicated action scenes at a comparatively cheaper rate. As for love stories, filmmakers need virginal beauty spots, imposing architecture and super outdoors. Understandably they head for Europe and Australia."
Walia is currently busy with his film "Lamhaa", which is being directed by Rahul Dholakia and stars Bipasha Basu and Sanjay Dutt.
Milan Luthria of "Kachche Dhaage" fame attributes the exodus for action to Southeast Asia to these factors.
"There are so many props required in an action film. There are cars, bikes, chopper and boats to ply and wreck. Action crews are far cheaper in South Africa and Southeast Asia. And since an action film needs a much bigger crew to be transported, the airfare to these countries is relatively cheaper.
"Regarding romance, European and Australian locales are prettier for love and the quality of light in these countries is best for close-ups and other intimate moments," said Luthira.
Anurag Basu's "Murder" was said to be the first film to be shot entirely in Bangkok. Other Hindi movies shot there include "Ek Ajnabee", "Zinda", "Family".
At least two dozen action-adventure films during the past two years have been shot in Thailand.
In fact, recently one couldn't take two steps in Bangkok without running into a Bollywood crew. Among them were the cast and crew of Nikhil Advani's "Chandni Chowk To China", Anthony D'Souza's directorial debut "Blue" and Suniel Shetty's "Loot".
Neil Nitin Mukesh, who has been shooting there for "Freeze", told IANS: "There was so much of Bollywood in Bangkok I was confused whether I was in Mumbai or Bangkok. We did a lot of heavy duty action scenes in Bangkok. I guess the atmosphere there is conducive to crackling and bone-cracking stunts."
A producer has to reportedly shell out about $1,000 per week to shoot in Bangkok, which is much cheaper than in Europe. In terms of airfare too, Thailand is nearer and therefore cheaper.
Is this an indication of geographical aptness or plain practical common sense?
Hansal Mehta thinks it's laziness and lack of imagination that propel all actioners to Bangkok.
Soham Shah, who shot his rugged adventure film "Luck" in South Africa, said: "I think thrillers are shot in places like Bangkok and Thailand because a crime action adventure film needs a dark dingy hectic atmosphere with shady bylanes and alleys.
"Bangkok gives a certain edge to a crime drama. Because it has a history of crime behind it whereas European countries like Switzerland with their green virgin locales lend themselves well to romance."
Director Kunal Kohli, who shot his romantic films "Hum Tum" and "Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic" in Europe, thinks it's all about economics.
"Action films cost a lot of money. So they anyway need cheaper locations with good infrastructure. You get that in Southeast Asia."
Echoing the same, Sanjay Gadhvi, who shot his actioner "Kidnap" in Mumbai but went to Bangkok for one crucial action scene, said: "Why Bangkok? I'll tell you. It's more economical. Shooting shifts for action films are far more expensive. So costs are cut through cheaper locations."
Added producer Bunty Walia: "South Asian countries have the look, manpower and the expertise to execute complicated action scenes at a comparatively cheaper rate. As for love stories, filmmakers need virginal beauty spots, imposing architecture and super outdoors. Understandably they head for Europe and Australia."
Walia is currently busy with his film "Lamhaa", which is being directed by Rahul Dholakia and stars Bipasha Basu and Sanjay Dutt.
Milan Luthria of "Kachche Dhaage" fame attributes the exodus for action to Southeast Asia to these factors.
"There are so many props required in an action film. There are cars, bikes, chopper and boats to ply and wreck. Action crews are far cheaper in South Africa and Southeast Asia. And since an action film needs a much bigger crew to be transported, the airfare to these countries is relatively cheaper.
"Regarding romance, European and Australian locales are prettier for love and the quality of light in these countries is best for close-ups and other intimate moments," said Luthira.
Anurag Basu's "Murder" was said to be the first film to be shot entirely in Bangkok. Other Hindi movies shot there include "Ek Ajnabee", "Zinda", "Family".
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