Q&A With Deepak Menon On Cross-Over Cinema
Email conversation dated: 15th March 2012
"Bollywood film as geo-regional and geo-cultural product in Malaysian media market"
by Rohini Sreekumar, Research Scholar, Monash University
Rohini: Do you think that the Bollywood films are influencing the Malay film industry? How?
Deepak: Yes, during P Ramlee’s era, at a certain extent.
The current Malay film industry gains reference from many industries including the US, India, Indonesia, Korea, Thai, Hong Kong, Japan, Europe.
Rohini: There is a huge inflow of DVDs (pirated and original) of Bollywood films now in Malaysia even though Box office report says that Bollywood films capture huge revenue from Malaysian theatres. What is your opinion regarding this?
Deepak: The current (2011) box-office data as follows:
1. Largest Hollywood movie released in Malaysia, Transformers 3 USD10mill.
2. Largest Malay movie released in Malaysia, KL Gangster USD4mill.
3. Largest Kollywood movie released in Malaysia, Endhiran USD3mill.
2. Largest Malay movie released in Malaysia, KL Gangster USD4mill.
3. Largest Kollywood movie released in Malaysia, Endhiran USD3mill.
There is opportunity for a thriving Bollywood scene none the less.
Rohini: What are the concerns that Bollywood films place when considering the cultural, social and religious aspect?
Deepak: Bollywood movies are more concerned about their homeland Indian audience.
Rohini: Who do you think are the audiences of these Bollywood movies?(since Malaysia is a multi-ethnic country)why?
Deepak: All walks of audience. Leisure and entertainment activity.
Rohini: What are the concerns that Bollywood films place when considering the cultural, social and religious aspect?
Deepak: Bollywood movies are more concerned about their homeland Indian audience.
Rohini: Who do you think are the audiences of these Bollywood movies?(since Malaysia is a multi-ethnic country)why?
Deepak: All walks of audience. Leisure and entertainment activity.
Rohini: With the popularity of Bollywood films (or Indian films) in Malaysia, do you believe that there are wider chances of forming cross-over films in Malaysia?
Deepak: Yes. There is always great opportunity for cross-over films at any part of the world.
Rohini: Inspired from the Indian films, some Malaysian directors are venturing into making Tamil movies based on local themes. How do you appraise these cross-over ventures?
Deepak: Directors are inspired by many films from many parts of the world. In fact, many Indian directors are inspired by US films and vice-versa. Inspiration for producers boils down to two significant reasoning; box office success or award winning story.
Rohini: Do you find that these kinds of film ventures pose huge challenge considering the Malaysian film laws and regulations (like the use of national language)?
Deepak: Absolutely humongous challenge. It is more likely for a Malay language movie cross-over venture with content producers from India. eg, The movie Cinta by Kabir Bhatia.
END.
