Setting sail off the coast of Mumbai to the city of Los Angeles, does Bollywood have what it takes to rival the masters of motion picture industry? As part of a huge cultural identity, Bollywood gives birth to nearly 800 films annually with an estimated reach of 1.5 billion viewers worldwide. Impressive as it may sound on paper, questions have been raised about whether the Indian film industry has the capacity to launch itself across the seven seas to rival Hollywood. In the eyes of avid Hindi/Urdu film lovers, it is an interesting prospect that might just pay off. Sadly, a direct comparison of the two giants is not easy to make as they differ vastly from one another in cultural, moral, and financial values. It is no surprise then that Bollywood’s inclusion in American showbiz is largely catered by American Indians, which is understandable given the influx of Indian immigration to this country, or in fact the whole of Western hemisphere including Canada, and Great Britain. But to an audience that is only used to Hollywood, does Bollywood have what it takes to rival Los Angeles, or is it merely an Internet myth?

In her article “Why is Bollywood Obsessed with Producing Crossover Films?” published in New India-Times, New York, Rajal Pitroda, a knowledgeable critic of the Indian entertainment industry, criticizes the rising development of Indian film industry for being alarmingly Western ethnocentric. In her response to Bride and Prejudice, America’s first mainstream exposure to Indian filmmaking, and a montage of Indian producers seeking to make the next big crossover film, she writes, “Are we just seeking appreciation and acceptance from the West? And what about our industry at home? What is actually happening to Bollywood in Mumbai?” These are indeed important questions. Just because Bollywood is one of the largest film industries in the world with a huge fan base to back it up, that doesn’t mean success should also materialize in America. The problem is, Bollywood was never originally set up to take on a global voyage. It was merely a digital transformation of the poetic, and romantic Indian culture. So why this increasing adaptation of Western culture into Bollywood? The answer is quite simple; money!

A single Hollywood production can cover the cost for over 100 Bollywood films. Likewise, screening of Bollywood films in America is a profitable business for the producers back home in India. As of 2008, Bollywood made a profit of almost $100 million in America alone, more than it made from Asia, Australia, and Europe combined (Wadhwani). It is evident from this factual data why Indian filmmakers are so keen on making the next big one. Unfortunately for them, it is this greed for money that may lead to an epic destruction of Bollywood, both in India and abroad.

What good is a movie that is not original, or at least pretends to be? Ball writes, “Typically running three long hours, an Indian movie was not only tedious to me, a naturally peripatetic guest, but also irritatingly boring. Lacking subtitles, a typical movie was characterized by interims of musical scores, commonly four to five, and acted upon with what is called -Going around the trees scenes- basically, a love scene interpolations.” I could hardly disagree. Your average Joe would not pay for some mediocre singing in the woods, repetitive love stories, and cartoon-like special effects. Are you ready for the next superman? It comes from India. It climbs buildings and flies like an eagle. If only Hollywood had something better to offer.

Speaking of which, where do Indian filmmakers get their inspiration for super human characters from? Partly from Hindi folklore, and some from plagiarizing. In fact the list of plagiarized Bollywood films is so embarrassingly long, it is quite a page turner. Even though copyright enforcement in India has picked up some momentum recently, however, there is no general agreement that it has (Shedde). In 2008 alone, 3 Bollywood films have allegedly hijacked Hollywood originals, the most controversial being God Tussi Great Ho, a rip-off of the 2003 box ofice hit, Bruce Almighty. This will not go down well for Bollywood. Neither would Hollywood stand for plagiarizing, nor will the American people.

There is something else that would not go down well with the American people; movie piracy. When Hollywood movies get illegally put on the Internet for free download in India, why should Bollywood get any business in America at all? It is a question that will be raised soon, if not later.

India is one of the poorest countries in the world. There is not enough investment in the country to support large scale film projects. Moreover, it lacks institutions needed to train directors, and writers alike (Pitroda). As it stands now, Bollywood is not ready to take on the big challenge. The Indian producers must not be weary of this fact, and should rather focus on making films that handed them glory in the first place. Perhaps independent filmmakers in India would see this as an opportunity to make a name for themselves. Success comes from being persistent, not from copying others, not from impressing them, either.

References:
Ball, Isabel. “Bollywood vs. Hollywood Clash of Titans.”
Pitroda, Rajal. “Why is Bollywood Obsessed with Producing Crossover Films?”
Shedde, Meenakshi. “Plagiarism issue jolts Bollywood.”
Wadhwani, Anita. “Bollywood Mania Rising in United States.”

1. Reggie
   March 6, 2009, 02:47
   1

   …with the exception of Slumdog, and possibly more in the pipe.

   Reply

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