Hollywood and Bollywood Sign Historic Cooperation Pact
Text source: The Motion Picture Association of America, Inc.
The two most prominent global film industries came together in November with the signing of a historic declaration between the city of Los Angeles and the Indian film industry at Paramount Pictures Studios in Hollywood. Los Angeles, the Film and Television Producers Guild of India and the Film Federation of India agreed to develop and strengthen motion picture production, distribution, technology, content protection and commercial cooperation between Hollywood and Bollywood. The two parties also support the creation of the Los Angeles-India Film Council to increase Indian film production in Los Angeles.
About the MPAA
The Motion Picture Association of America, Inc. (MPAA) serves as the voice and advocate of the American motion picture, home video and television industries from its offices in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. Its members include Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures; Paramount Pictures Corporation; Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc.; Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation; Universal City Studios LLLP; and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
Hollywood is a part of Los Angeles where many film studios first began operating and has leant its name to the American movie industry as a whole.
Speaking at the event, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said: “This declaration reinforces our city’s commitment to attracting international production. 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.” Villaraigosa was joined by California Film Commissioner Amy Lemisch, Paramount Pictures Chairman and CEO Brad Grey, and Fritz Attaway of the Motion Picture Association of America, along with Indian producers Bobby Bedi and L. Suresh.
“Our vibrant film communities share many of the same goals and concerns,” said Bob Pisano, president and interim CEO of the Motion Picture Association (MPAA). “The numerous co-productions with Indian studios over the past several years are evidence of a growing bond between our two industries. Today’s action is an important step toward furthering that growth.”
Grey said, “Paramount is honored to host these important discussions, which usher in a new era of strategic partnership. We hope this groundbreaking collaboration will yield more co-productions and alliances, greater films and a stronger global film industry.”
The Indian delegation was led by Hindi producer Bedi and Tamil producer and Film Federation of India President Suresh, along with other representatives from the major Indian production houses of Reliance BIG Entertainment and UTV Motion Pictures. The delegation came to Los Angeles for a two-day summit with the Hollywood studios, California officials and other film related companies to discuss economic development and collaboration.
Representing the Indian delegation, Bedi noted, “Hollywood and Bollywood are two industries that are economically robust and represent significant economic and cultural interests of their respective countries. India has always held a fascination for Hollywood, and this agreement pulls us closer together with the aim of sharing ideas and best practices on domestic and international film production. We look forward to working with the city of Los Angeles to increase Indian production here.”
Suresh said, “In addition to the Hindi film industry, the southern and regional Indian film industries also welcome the opportunity to work hand [in] hand with Hollywood. Already, we have seen significant collaboration in technology between Hollywood and South India, and we will soon see collaborations in production.”
Past big budget Indian productions filmed in Los Angeles include “Kambakkht Ishq” (2009), “Kaante” (2002) and “Pardes” (1997). This is the second major step toward economic development and cooperation between Hollywood and the Indian film industry in 2010.
In March, the two industries came together in Mumbai to launch the Alliance Against Copyright Theft, a Bollywood-Hollywood content protection coalition in India. Other joint ventures and co-productions between individual Hollywood studios and Indian production houses over the past several years include “Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge?” (2010), “Lahore” (2010), “Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai” (2010), “Khichdi The Movie” (2010), “We Are Family” (2010), “Do Dooni Chaar” (2010), “Chandni Chowk to China” (2009), “Quick Gun Murugan” (2009), “Raaz the Mystery Continues…” (2009), “Roadside Romeo” (2008), “Saas Bahu Aur Sensex” (2008) and “Saawariya” (2007).
Several, such as “Zokkomon” and “Dum Maro Dum,” are also slated for 2011. Indian investment in Hollywood has been steadily increasing, most notably with Indian entertainment conglomerate Reliance’s production and distribution deal with Dreamworks SKG.
