‘We make 1,100 films in a year but not one that can compete globally’

Veteran actor Danny Denzongpa, who was last seen in this year film Bioscopewala, isn’t taking up too many projects these days. And somehow, he is not even too content with the kind of films that Indian filmmakers are churning out these days — ones that are yet to find their footing in the global market.

“We make the maximum number of films, about 1,100 films in a year. Whereas, Hollywood makes 450 films in a year and a smaller country like France or Korea makes even fewer films. But then, their quality is such that you would always see at all international film festivals, they [these movies] are [the ones that go on] winning all the awards, and we are nowhere. It’s sad that we don’t make a single one to go and compete in the world,” says Danny.

The 80-year-old blames the fact that no one in the film industry is ready to take a risk.

“People here [in Bollywood] are so insecure that they are always thinking about how their money would come back, or else they might be out of business. They don’t want to take any risk,” adds the actor, stating that “people who are highly successful, or those who run production house, great actors and superstars should be the ones who should take a risk.”

Danny also feels that to a large extent, it’s the boxoffice craze that has affected the quality of films being made now, but sadly nothing much can be done. “You see, you can’t help it because it’s such an expensive kind of industry. Before you start a project, so much money is involved...,” he quips.

“That’s why commercial success is on everyone’s mind. Unfortunately, that’s the reason our industry is nowhere.”

PHOTO: SATISH BATE/HT Danny Denzongpa blames the fact that no one in the film industry is ready to take a risk, and everyone is focused on being commercially successful