NATIONAL
www.AZMuslimVoice.com
DECEMBER 2010
9
Hollywood and Bollywood Join Hands New America Media India West Parimal M. Rohit LOS ANGELES — with the chronicled success of “Slumdog Millionaire” during the 2009 film awards season, it seemed only a matter of time before Hollywood and Bollywood would find a way to cooperatively work together. That day may have arrived Nov. 10, when Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa joined Indian film producers in the historic signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two biggest film industries here at Paramount Pictures.
managing director of the Motion Picture Association’s branch in India, who agreed that the memorandum of understanding would potentially result in an economic windfall for both Los Angeles and India. “More than 2.4 million people in America and 1.8 million people in India work in the motion picture and television industry,” Dalal stated. “We look forward to continued commercial cooperation with the U.S. film industry on joint investment and coproductions, which will only increase economic development and job growth in
steps have been taken by the MPA in India. Because they are protecting their own property, that will also help us protect ours,” Bedi told India-West. “It’s difficult (in India) to convince even a police officer to attend to a murder over someone stealing a DVD. It is very difficult to bring in the regime of economic offenses. It will take a while, and none of this will work unless we have the full force of technology behind enforcement.” Villaraigosa acknowledged that enforcement of anti-piracy legislation and policy would be addressed in due time, but the creation of the Los Angeles-
goal: to complement each other’s cultural vibrancy, to work together to grow our economies, to show the world of entertainment that it transcends international borders,” the mayor said. “I am happy to be here to acknowledge this new relationship … that will help to create jobs here in the city of Los Angeles and create stronger bonds of friendship.” Also signing the historic pact of friendship and economic development was Tamil film producer and Film Federation of India president L. Suresh. Among
those
joining
With dignitaries from Paramount Pictures, the Motion Picture Association of America, and the California Film Commission joining the Film Federation of India and the Film and Television Producers Guild of India at the document signing, the memorandum of understanding created the Los Angeles-India Film Council to protect intellectual property and promote increased production of Indian films in Los Angeles. “Bollywood is one of the most vibrant, growing, and creative (film industries) anywhere in the world. This (pact) will promote film production — Indian films — here in Los Angeles, creating jobs,” Villaraigosa said, adding that he hoped the signing of the pact would open the door to greater relations between Los Angeles and India. “This is also connecting two great industries, connecting American people to Indian people, and, just as importantly, promoting American film production in India. It’s a win-win … that will hopefully allow for more collaboration between the Indian film industry and Hollywood. “This memorandum of understanding between the city of Los Angeles and the Indian film industry is a very important one.” Such importance was acknowledged by Rajiv Dalal,
level of engagement between the two industries and in recent years, it’s increased massively,’’ Bobby Bedi said by phone from L.A. “We thought it’s a great idea to formalize a relationship between the two industries.’’ Headlining that massive growth is Indian billionaire Anil Ambani’s decision to pump hundreds of millions of dollars into a production and distribution agreement with Steven Spielberg. Indian production companies have also been taking on outsourced special effects, setting up sales offices in L.A. to channel work to dim computerpacked rooms in Mumbai. The new agreement also reflects the growing stature, and budgets, of Bollywood filmmakers. Indian film budgets, though rising, remain small by Hollywood standards. But the expanding corporate presence in Bollywood means studios like Reliance BIG Entertainment and UTV Motion Pictures now have the ability to spend $10 million to $30 million on a picture — enough at least to film in L.A.
both nations.” In addition to the memorandum of understanding promoting economic development between the American and Indian film industries, the pact also aimed to address piracy issues. Film producer Bobby Bedi, who joined Villaraigosa in the signing of the MoU on behalf of the Film and Television Producers Guild of India, told India-West that measures have already been taken to protect intellectual property and combat film piracy in India. The “Saathiya” producer said the problem is not antipiracy legislation in India, but instead, enforcement. “Interestingly,
the
biggest
India Film Council was a step in the right direction. In fact, both industries had taken the first step in jointly addressing anti-piracy campaigns in India in March with the creation of the Alliance Against Copyright Theft, among the first-ever Bollywood-Hollywood content protection agreements. Beyond issues of piracy and economic development, Villaraigosa added that the human and cultural element of the Hollywood-Bollywood coalition should not be overlooked. “While there may be miles of land and ocean separating the two largest democracies in the world, we remain united toward a common
SHAHNAWAZ CURRIM
Other key dignitaries witnessing the formal signing of the MoU included executives from UTV Motion Pictures and Reliance BIG Entertainment. AP adds: The new cooperation agreement aims to make it easier for Bollywood producers to film in Los Angeles by facilitating permits, visas and tax breaks, and extends the U.S. anti-piracy crackdown to bootlegged Indian films in the U.S. “There’s always been some
U.S. studios have tried with mixed success to crack the Indian film market. Madefor-India releases have been commercially disappointing, but the Indian releases of “Slumdog Millionaire,” “Avatar,’” and “2012,” were huge box-office successes, by Bollywood standards. That interest has pushed antipiracy to the top of the agenda. “The mayor of Los Angeles said he would set up a special task force and his antipiracy cell would work toward minimizing Indian piracy in the U.S.,” he said. “If we can get the protection, it would make our lives a whole lot better.”
Sultan Palace مطعم سلطان باالس
Multi-Million Dollar Producer
Afghan Restaurant
Let my 23 years “Arizona” Experience work for you!
In Tucson
• Assisting buyers & sellers with all their real estate needs • Relocation • New and resale homes • Apartment complexes • Shopping centers • Mini markets & convenient stations • Land & lots
Halal Food • لحم حالل ألذ المأكوالت األفغانية شخص60 أستعداد للحفالت حتى فقط$8.95 عروض خاصة يومي ًا
Call Shanawaz Currim today! Realty executives
• All you can eat lunch buffet Monday-Friday 11am - 3pm with daily specials for only $8.95 • Catering in Tucson • Catering in Phoenix 80 people and up
520-622-2892
943 E. University Blvd. Tucson AZ 85719 Call about our new location (Univeristy & Park)
07
12-10
ongoin
Bus. 480-839-2600 Mobile 602-245-1625 Pager 602-227-9994 Fax 480-491-0718 “And Experience the Difference”
Villaraigosa, Bedi and Suresh included California Film Commissioner Amy Lemisch, Paramount Pictures CEO Brad Grey, and Motion Picture Association Asia Pacific president Mike Ellis.
“In the past year, we have already seen Hindi movies such as ‘My Name is Khan’ and ‘Kites’ filmed in Los Angeles, and we enthusiastically welcome further Indian production in Los Angeles,’’ Mayor Villaraigosa said in a statement.
Website: www.sultan_palace.com
Sultan Palace Afghan Restaurant