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Good
morning and welcome to this week's edition of
'Talk Cinema'.
And welcome to Sanjeev Gupta, our cinema expert.
Hi Lucy and hello everyone.
Well Sanjeev, what are we talking about today?
Bollywood.
l'm sure you're a real expert Sanjeev, and a
fan!
Absolutely, l adore Bollywood films, you know
my brother's a director in Mumbai.
lnteresting. First of all let's explain to our
viewers what Bollywood is.
Of course. Bollywood's the name given to the
lndian film industry, it comes from Bombay and
Hollywood, Bollywood.
Bombay's the centre of the lndian film industry.
Bombay's now called Mumbai, but the name Bollywood
is still used.
As you seem to be such an expert, l can ask
you lots of questions.
Fire away.
How many films are made in Bollywood each year?
About 800! The same as the number of films that
are made in Hollywood.
Wow! Film making's really big business in lndia!
That's right!
Did you know that 14 million people in lndia
go to the cinema every day?
14 million every day, l don't believe it!
That's a huge number of people!
That's right, there are lots of people in lndia
remember, but even so, it's a large number of
cinema-goers.
lt certainly is!
But tell us, is it true that Bollywood's now
becoming more known internationally?
Yes it is! Many people from lndia now live overseas,
especially in the UK and the USA.
Today in the UK Bollywood films are screened
in normal cinemas and are also broadcast on
TV.
The films are becoming popular with new audicences.
Also you know, Hollywood's beginning to copy
Bollywood, the film 'Moulin Rouge', for example,
used lots of ideas that are common in Bollywood
films.
l see, but what's so special about Bollywood
films?
The films are full of colour with beautiful
traditional lndian costumes and lots of lndian
music and dancing.
But there's one thing l don't like, the story
lines are nearly always the same, love stories,
l mean.
l see. What about the actors?
Does Bollywood have its own film stars?
lt certainly does!
They're very famous and very rich, just like
Hollywood stars.
Well, stars are the same everywhere!
But tell us Sanjeev, are there any problems
facing Bollywood?
Unfortunately there are!
Illegal copying is the biggest problem facing
the Bollywood Studios.
They lose lots of money because of piracy.
Another problem is that young audiences are
becoming bored with the traditional love story
formula.
Today the Studios have to create new story lines.
A typical new film is the one that is set in
a call centre in Mumbai and follows the lives
of six young lndians working there.
Did you know Lucy that many young lndian graduates
now work in call centres?
They answer calls in English from customers
in the US and the UK.
Yes, l have heard of the new call centres in
lndia.
So the film mirrors real life.
lt sounds fascinating!
Well, Bollywood's booming and is becoming more
known internationally.
The stories are rather similar, love stories,
but some new interesting story lines are creeping
in.
Right Sanjeev?
Right!
Thanks Sanjeev and goodbye.
Goodbye.
See you again next week for another edition
of 'Talk Cinema'!
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