The Hindu Business Line : Film exporters look to Japan, Chinese markets

THE Cannes Film Festival is not just about movies, but is also about business. And at the ongoing International Film Festival of India (IFFI) too, business is high priority.

But if you expected the who's who of the Indian film industry to be present at the film bazaar, then you are bound to be disappointed. A little over 20 participants present at the bazaar include Mukta Arts, Zee Telefilms, Eros Entertainment, some film export associations and divisions of the Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry.

And this year too, the film fraternity is trying to tap the Chinese and Japanese markets. "After Tamil filmstar, Rajnikanth became a hit in Japan, we want to break into that market. Other markets that we are looking at is China and Korea," said Mr L. Suresh, President, South Indian Film Exporters Association. The South Indian film industry generates Rs 100-150 crore from exports each year.

However, tapping the Chinese and Japanese market is a tough task, especially with tough censorship norms. According to Mr Nandkumar Bele, Secretary, Indian Film Exporters Association, last year too the Chinese had evinced interest in Indian films. But too many deals did not materialise.

It is not just movies that are being sold at the festival. RK Films & Studios for instance is trying to sell books and CDs on Mr Raj Kapoor. Zee Telefilms, besides promoting its channels, is also trying to syndicate its entertainment software.

Meanwhile, the I&B Ministry is expecting the Bazaar to enable the Indian entertainment industry to strike some major deals. "Last year, a lot of enquiries took place, which later fructified into deals," said the I&B Minister, Mr Ravi Shankar Prasad. He also added that with institutional funding of over Rs 500 crore available, the future of the industry looked bright.

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