Amitabh Bachchan: We are far more creative than Hollywood
Indian film icon, Amitabh Bachchan, dismissed the notion that his country’s films should aspire to win the Oscars, saying that the Indian film industry is more creative than Hollywood. “India turns out about 1,000 films in 12 languages each year. No Indian film has ever won an Oscar, although Mother India and Lagaan have been nominated.” Bachchan, visiting Britain to receive several awards, told a news conference at the Houses of Parliament in London that he did not believe that an Indian film winning an Oscar was the “ultimate recognition for any great film” and added that it was offensive to suggest that.
“I do believe that Indian films have their own exhibition,” Bachchan said. “Whereas we respect the Oscars and what they are, our creativity is the best,” he added. “The Indian film industry, which makes three times as many films a year as Hollywood, has captivated cinema goers around the world with its escapist musical extravaganzas. With its centre in Mumbai, India’s film industry is popularly known as Bollywood.”
Bachchan welcomed films that married Western and Indian cinema such as 2004’s Bride and Prejudice, a co-production, featuring Indian and Western actors.
“Any kind of marriage is going to be good when creative interests are common,” he said. “I do believe that if the UK wants to make a film with India, there can only be benefits and more benefits.”
Bachchan’s 2005 hits - Black, Waqt, Sarkar and Bunty Aur Babli - together grossed nearly 1 billion rupees. Bachchan, 63, was visiting Britain to receive an honourary doctorate from a university in Leicester and awards for his four decades in film work and his humanitarian work, including his role as a goodwill ambassador for UN children’s agency UNICEF.
3 votes. Please rate this article. 
Loading ...
