Some time ago, New York saw three very talented filmmakers gather at a conference to share their thoughts on the globalization of Bollywood. Imtiaz Ali, Zoya Akhtar and Anuraadha Tewari comprised the panel of Ticket t0 Bollywood, where they spoke to aspiring actors/directors from other parts of the world on how they could potentially break in to Bollywood. We recently caught up with Imtiaz Ali, as well as Kiren Srivastav (the brainchild behind the conference). Read on to know their thoughts of the workshop!
Imtiaz Ali
1) What attracted you the most to the Ticket to Bollywood workshop?
When Kiren came to us with the concept of “Ticket to Bollywood”, I found it unique because this workshop was not just for NRIs who wanted to act – it was also for those who were looking at other areas of film making like writing, direction editing etc. Such a comprehensive workshop with its distinctive approach, for a newer audience, was what attracted me to “Ticket to Bollywood”. Moreover, I love to travel so it was great to be a part of this workshop.
The theme of this workshop was ‘Bollywood: Beyond the Song and Dance.’ How integral do you think Song and Dance is to Bollywood? Do you think filmmakers should make a conscious decision to move away from the Song-and-Dance routines?
Of course, a song and dance is one of the most important part of a Bollywood film. It is our USP, but just so long as it takes the story forward or entertain the audience . In my film Jab We Met, all the songs were a part of the narrative – it took the story further to the next level. My film Rockstar is a sterling example of this. Having said that, I must add here that the songs should blend itself into the story without slowing it down.
But there is much to Bollywood than just “song and dance”. That is what we aimed for at the workshop “Ticket to Bollywood”, that is to take the focus away from just “song and dance” and take our enthusiasts beyond it to other important aspects of the film.
The main agenda of the workshop was to talk about how global Bollywood has gone. How do you think globalization has impacted the kind of films we have today?
The West is taking far more interest in Bollywood than it did before, and with reason. Bollywood is the largest film industry in the world by the sheer quantum of films we churn out. Many Bollywood blockbusters (with subtitles) are exported in large numbers and they have become hits. Many movies today are in fact made with the NRIs and the west in mind. Surely, globalization has struck us in a big way. In my film “Love Aaj Kal” I took Giselle for a very important role of a traditional Sikh woman… or, sometimes, we see our actors in Hollywood productions. Other than this, even back then, we used their technicians whenever required.
Of course, there is more convergence of talents now. Globalization has changed things for the better. It has widened our universe. That is why it made better sense to have the workshop “Ticket to Bollywood” abroad.
Can you name one thing you learned from either Zoya Akhtar or Anuraadha Tewari at this workshop?
That, apart from acting, there is a huge pool of talent which I can take in my movie (smiles).
What advice would you give to a person abroad who wanted to get their “Ticket to Bollywood”?
My advice to newcomers would be attend such workshop like “Ticket to Bollywood” to get basic knowledge of your area of specialization – chisel you talents by attending such a workshop. Additionally, it is also very important to know the language. So if you are coming from the west, work on your Hindi. Be persuasive. Bollywood, for all its glamour, can be a trying and challenging place for any youngster. Never, never give up. This is a golden mantra.
Kiren Srivastav
What was the idea behind hosting the Ticket to Bollywood workshop?
I was beginning to see a growing interest in Bollywood in the west. Right from western and NRI youngsters to adults with talents were looking at Bollywood with renewed eyes. Additionally, the idea of teaching the Westerners the Indian style of filmmaking got me to work on this workshop. Moreover, the interest ranged from acting to every other part of film making. That was a very healthy attitude. “Ticket to Bollywood” was to assist these movie enthusiasts to get an idea on all areas of film making.
Even if we take a step backward, you will see that we always used western expertise in our movies whenever required. I myself took all my technicians from Prague while shooting one of our first production venture. So you see there has always been a healthy dependency from both sides. Movies like dhoom, love aaj kal, kal ho na ho, Kabhi khushi kabhi gham were all shot mainly abroad.
Last but not the least, with this workshop, it was just a natural extension that I launch my company “Molecule Communications” in the US.
How did you and your team go about conceptualizing and executing this event?
With the growing interest that west was taking in Bollywood, what would be better than successful film makers like Imtiaz Ali, Zoya Akthar, Madhur Bhandarkar (via web), and popular writers like Anuradha Tewaari conducting “Ticket to Bollywood”. The times were also right for such a workshop that would be your ticket to Bollywood. The idea was conceptualized by my brother Ajay who lives in New York with Anuraadha Tewari at Prithvi Coffee Shop. When I got to know, I took it up as a challenge. Dar Motion Pictures (Dangerous Ishq, Haunted and company which also distributed Dark Knight Rises in India, came in to support the event as our presenters because they believed in it. Thanks to Shahnaab Alam, the commissioning producer of Dar Motion Pictures, who went all out to support this concept and Vikram Chatwal who lend his full and active support by holding the event in his hotel, one of the leading hotels in the New York City
Why did you pick Imtiaz Ali, Zoya Akhtar and Anuraadha Tewari to speak at this event?
Anuraadha Tewari being a dear friend. With Ajay and Anuradha both thinking of different genres, we started with Madhur Bhandarkar who first gave the nod, followed by Imtiaz and Zoya. Three of them are sought after film makers and Anuradhaa Tewari is a prolific writer. All of them having very different styles of film making was the best amalgamation of Bollywood in all aspects.
Can you name one thing you learned at this event?
Indians can do wonders and nothing is impossible for us ( laughs lol) That the times is just right to have such workshops. Just that Indians abroad must be more welcoming and supporting. Lastly, lets not “ box” or package cinema into “Indo-America, or Indo Western”. According to me, it is cinema – World Cinema.
And yes, as Victor Hugo said “There is nothing more powerful than an idea whose time has come…”
Are you happy with the response you got from this workshop?
Yes, I am very happy with the response. I am truly encouraged and presently in talk to take this event to Los Angeles, Sydney, Dubai and many other places as well.