Washington, Nov 11 (PTI): Hollywood and Bollywood -- two most prominent global film industries – have signed a landmark pact to strengthen corporation in film making and distribution.
A declaration in this regard was signed yesterday by Los Angeles City and Indian film industry, represented by Film and Television Producers Guild of India and Film Federation of India.
As a result of this, Hollywood and Bollywood have decided to support the creation of the Los Angeles-India Film Council to increase Indian film production in Los Angeles, said the Motion Picture Association of America in a press release.
"This declaration reinforces our city's commitment to attracting international production. 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," the Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, said.
Mayor Villaraigosa was joined by California Film Commissioner Amy Lemisch, Paramount Pictures Chairman and CEO Brad Grey, and MPAA Special Policy Advisor Fritz Attaway.
"Our vibrant film communities share many of the same goals and concerns," said Bob Pisano, president and Interim CEO of the Motion Picture Association of America.
"The numerous co- productions with Indian studios over the past several years are evidence of a growing bond between our two industries. Today's action is an important step toward furthering that growth," he said.
Paramount Pictures chairman and CEO Brad Grey said this will usher in a new era of strategic partnership. He hoped that this groundbreaking collaboration will yield more co-productions and alliances, greater films and a stronger global film industry.
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 like Reliance BIG Entertainment and UTV Motion Pictures.
The delegation came to Los Angeles for a two day summit with the Hollywood studios, California officials, and other film related companies to discuss economic development and collaboration, said a media release by the Motion Picture Association of America.
"Hollywood and Bollywood are two industries that are economically robust and represent significant economic and cultural interests of their respective countries," Bobby Bedi said.
"India has always held a fascination for Hollywood, and this agreement pulls us closer together with the aim of sharing ideas and best practices on domestic and international film production. We look forward to working with the City of Los Angeles to increase Indian production here," Bedi added.
"In addition to the Hindi film industry, the southern and regional Indian film industries also welcome the opportunity to work hand and hand with Hollywood. Already we have seen significant collaboration in technology between Hollywood and South India, and we will soon see collaborations in production," Suresh said.
Some big budget Indian productions filmed in Los Angeles include: Kites (2010), My Name is Khan (2010), Kambakkht Ishq (2009), Kaante (2002), and Pardes (1997).
This is the second major step towards economic development and cooperation between Hollywood and the Indian film industry this year.
In March, the two industries came together in Mumbai to launch the Alliance Against Copyright Theft, a Bollywood-Hollywood content protection coalition in India, the press release said.
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, said the statement.