There was a time when a multi-starred film with item numbers created a spark and did a good business at the box office. But at present, things are changing very fast and the Bollywood is adopting western style and techniques which is quite evident in some of the recent movies like Kambakkht Ishq, Love Aaj Kal, and Blue, etc. Hollywood stars and celebrities such as supermodels, pop singers, or famous actors, are entering the Bollywood film industry. Although critics may criticize Bollywood against Hollywood saying that the total earnings of Bollywood in 2006 were just half of the earnings that only one Hollywood studio, Walt Disney made in 2006. But the fact is that Hollywood is mesmerized by Bollywood. Bollywood has a great deal to present to Hollywood and similarly Hollywood also influences Bollywood.
Which one is superior, Hollywood or Bollywood? The discussion is endless. Although Hollywood is quite ahead of Bollywood in terms of revenue, Bollywood’s influence in the world film industry is winning new heights. Hollywood’s earnings do not depend on ticket sales only. It has adopted the proven ‘franchise-formula’ in which a big part of the revenue or income comes from other sources such as TV networks, magazines, home-videos, etc. No doubt, Bollywood is also considering this aspect to promote its business. But revenue is not the only factor that one should take notice of, there are other aspects also to be considered, such as story, music, song-and-dance sequences, photography, technology, etc.
The main difference between Hollywood and Bollywood commercial movies is that song-and-dance sequences are an essential feature of Indian films. Professional play-back singers sing songs which are lip-matched by movie characters played by actors and actresses. While there is no such thing as song-and-dance in Hollywood. Therefore, they are attracted towards Bollywood. Bollywood films are a good source of entertainment presenting anything and everything, quite like a Santa Claus gift bag, whereas Hollywood films focus more on the cinematic knowledge.
But, things are changing very fast these days. A time may come when there would be no difference in Bollywood and Hollywood. Particularly after the success achieved by ‘Slum-dog Millionaire’, can we expect more movies where Bollywood come together to Hollywood? In the coming times, you will see Barbara Mori paired with Hrithik Roshan in an Indian film ‘Kites’, and likewise, an Indian actor Anupam Kher will act in Hollywood’s top director Woody Allen’s film. After winning Oscar awards for an Indian film Slumdog Millionaire, the difference between Bollywood and Hollywood has reduced and it is becoming a joint venture. Maybe, one day we see Sylvester Stallone dancing around trees in an Indian film and Hrithik Roshan playing James Bond in a Hollywood film.
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