Hollywood, Bollywood sign cooperation pact

Hollywood, Bollywood sign cooperation pact

2010-11-11 20:56:28 GMT+7 (ICT)

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA (BNO NEWS) -- U.S. and Indian Hollywood and Bollywood filmmakers sealed a production, distribution, and commercial cooperation that is looking to further boost their film industries, the Motion Picture Association of America said.

Representing the world's two biggest film industries, Hollywood and Bollywood officials met at Paramount Pictures Studios in Hollywood to sign the pact that will be pushing for increased co-productions, as well as commercial and technical exchanges.

As part of the declaration, the city of Los Angeles and the Indian film industry, represented by the Film and Television Producers Guild of India and the Film Federation of India, agree to develop and strengthen motion picture production, distribution, technology, content protection and commercial cooperation.

In addition, both sides expressed support in the creation of the Los Angeles-India Film Council to increase Indian film production in Los Angeles.

"This declaration reinforces our city’s commitment to attracting international production," Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said. "In the past year, we have already seen Hindi movies such as My Name Is Khan and Kites filmed in Los Angeles, and we enthusiastically welcome further Indian production in Los Angeles."

Indian officials arrived in Los Angeles to participate in a two-day summit with Hollywood officials, as well as other film industry companies to hold collaboration talks and economic development possibilities.

The Indian delegation was led by eminent Hindi producer Bobby Bedi and Tamil producer and Film Federation of India President L. Suresh, along with other representatives from the major Indian production houses of Reliance BIG Entertainment and UTV Motion Pictures.

Last March, officials from both industries had previously gathered in Mumbai, India, creating the Alliance Against Copyright Theft, a Bollywood-Hollywood content protection coalition in the Asian country.

Past big budget Indian productions filmed in Los Angeles include: Kites (2010), My Name is Khan (2010), Kambakkht Ishq (2009), Kaante (2002), and Pardes (1997).

Other joint ventures and co-productions between individual Hollywood studios and Indian production houses over the past several years include My Name is Khan (2010), Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge (2010), Lahore (2010), Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hain (2010), Khichdi (2010), We Are Family (2010), Do Dooni Chaar (2010), Chandni Chowk to China (2009), Quick Gun Murugan (2009), Raaz the Mystery Continues (2009), Roadside Romeo (2008), Saas Bahu Aur Sensex (2008), Saawariya (2007).

Several, such as Zokkomon and Dum Maro Dum, are also slated for 2011. Indian investment in Hollywood has been steadily increasing, most notably with Indian entertainment conglomerate Reliance’s production and distribution deal with Dreamworks SKG.

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