The Hindu Business Line : Motion Pictures Association upbeat on Indian market

New Delhi, Oct. 30 The Motion Pictures Association of America, comprising big Hollywood studios such as Buena Vista Pictures Distribution (The Walt Disney Company), Sony Pictures, Paramount Pictures, 20th Century Fox, Universal Studios and Warner Bros, is upbeat about the Indian market.

And why not? India after all is the largest theatrical market as Mr Dan Glickman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Motion Picture Association of America, points out.

Mr Glickman, accompanied by Mr Michael C. Ellis, Senior Vice-President and Regional Director, Asia Pacific, MPA-International, said: “Of course, there are the huge Hollywood hits, Spiderman and Casino Royale, but there is also an opportunity to co-produce in India. Take, for example Manoj Night Shyamalan’s movie The Happening which is a UTV and Fox 50-50 partnership,” said Mr Glickman. He also cited Will Smith’s projects in India. The MPAA is also predicting a wider audience outside of the NRI population for Hindi movies. “Take Om Shanti Om, which is a hugely anticipated, typically Indian Bollywood movie and the much smaller Loins of Punjab, whose humour and story will work very well across international audiences,” predicts Mr Jonathan Dotan, Consultant, Asia-Pacific, MPA-International. Hollywood studios have often been accused of killing other national film industries. However, the MPAA believes it just does a better job of movie-making. “I would like to believe it’s because of the diversity of the American movie industry. We have dozens of ethnic groups working together which gives us a better understanding of different cultures,” he said. “Our movies are by and large for a bigger audience — with an international focus. Our budgets are so big we need the international markets to survive,” he adds. More independent movies are also likely to find their way to Indian audiences. As the MPAA point out, the big studios now have a classic division to acquire and distribute smaller movies originally made by independent filmmakers.

“Piracy affects the Indian industry more than American industry here, since 90 to 95 per cent of movies in this market are Indian movies,” said Mr Glickman, whose association has estimated the piracy-related business loss at $180 million annually.

Mr Dotan added that a new Ernst & Young study is expected to come out with its report very soon. The association is focussed on the anti-piracy campaign it has taken undertaken world over, working with the local police, including Indian authorities, to conduct raids. According to Mr Ellis, India is a mixed bag; however the good news is that enforcement of anti-piracy laws is improving.