Hindustan Times (Patna) - Hindustan Times (Patna) - Live
THINK HOLLYWOOD, THINK INDIA!
Shooting films here, casting Indian actors or visiting for promotion — Hollywood’s focus is on India
Hollywood think-tanks are confident that India can become the next big destination for them. If Hollywood is looking to exploit Indian market, why not? TARAN ADARSH, TRADE ANALYST
Hollywood’s tryst with India is only getting bigger, better! It was recently announced that the sixth installment of (American star) Tom Cruise’s Mission: Impossible franchise will be shot in India, along with other international locations. Wooing Indian audiences seems to be on Hollywood’s mind, of late. Actors Vin Diesel and Jackie Chan were in India earlier this year to promote their films xXx: Return of Xander Cage and Kung Fu Yoga respectively, Hollywood star Hugh Jackman uploaded videos on social media for Indian fans to promote Logan.
“I think it (Hollywood) should look at all the markets. It seems that seeing what Furious 7 or The Jungle Book did (in India) was eye-opening especially when Hollywood executives see a potential like that. They must be like, ‘how do I get into that game?’ I am sure they are going to target India now knowing that those films have done so well,” Hollywood director DJ Caruso told HT during promotions of XXX: Return of Xander Cage in India.
The Indian connection doesn’t end there. Bollywood actor Deepika Padukone featured in XXX, and Priyanka Chopra will be seen in Baywatch. Then, the trailer of Spider-Man: Homecoming, will be released in 10 local languages in India.
Trade analyst Taran Adarsh says “India is a huge country, and especially with growing population of English-speaking audiences, Hollywood think-tanks are confident that India can become the next big destination for them. In today’s global world, if Hollywood is looking to exploit Indian market, why not?” he says. “The simple answer is India’s 1.3 billionstrong population,” adds exhibitor-distributor Akshaye Rathi, who believes: “With constant growth in exhibition business, burgeoning demand for entertainment platforms and population, Hollywood is sowing the seeds at the right time before the market booms like never before.”
A word of caution: “While quantity is also important, Bollywood needs to focus on quality of our films, giving strong competition to Hollywood,” says Adarsh.