Bollywood a flop?
Zafar Anjum from Singapore seems to think so in this article. But why is Bollywood a flop? Moreover, he argues that China is a hit... on what grounds? Because Hollywood is investing $150 m in China and nothing in Bollywood... overtly, anyways.Here are my two bits on the issue:
- Bollywood doesn't really need Hollywood's approval to become a global force... it already is.
- But isn't is a force within its diaspora? Largely, yes but I would attribute it to the fact that we make our own movies and have our own song-and-dance style. Western audiences cannot understand this.
- Despite all the 'globalisation', Indian cinema has maintained its roots and still continues with the same song-and-dance routine and two-and-a-half hour long movies. In some cases, it's even more!
- China makes 90-minute movies, much like the ones Hollywood churns out. Moreover, their sole identity is their martial arts (correct me if I am wrong here).
- Piracy is an issue in both countries, but more so in China. In India, theatres are still running to full houses and proof is the number of multiplexes mushrooming at every corner.
- $150m? Bollywood probably does that in 3 months. Remember, we are comparing with China and not LA.
Here's something more to make my point:
Amazon.de selling Bollywood Music
Main Hoon Na (or Ich bin immer da) (Amazon.de)
Bollywood Music (Amazon.de)
All Bollywood Products (Amazon.de)
All Bollywood Products (Amazon.co.jp)
All Bollywood Products (Amazon.co.fr)
And I've purposely not included the US, UK, Australia or Canada.
posted by Scribbler @ 10:56 pm
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