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Saavn is off to China today! In honor of the occasion, we’re examining a brief history of Bollywood in China. Hindi film’s fortunes in China have risen and fallen with China’s relations with Russia (at one time, India’s closest ally) and Pakistan. In the 50s and 60s, Bollywood enjoyed a golden age in Russia, to the point where Raj Kapoor was practically tailor-making films for a Russian audience. Whatever Mother Russia loved, she happily exported to Red China, which consumed Bollywood films with fervor. At the same time, India’s fascination with the Far East grew. Who can forget films like Love in Tokyo and the popularity of Sino-Indian stars like Helen and Danny Denzongpa?
Exhibit A: “Mera Naam Chin Chin Choo” from Howrah Bridge
Ah, the good old days!
Anyway, the rest is history. India fought with China over Kashmir, China fought with Russia over imperialism, China bonded with the U.S. over Ping Pong, etc. Other than the odd flash-in-the-pan (Yash Chopra’s Noorie was released theatrically in China in 1979), Bollywood-China relations had reached a wall.
Until now! Ever since Thomas Friedman declared that the world is flat…well, ok, not really since then…but since the shape of the world has changed, China and India are increasing diplomatic ties, and Bollywood has taken notice of its neighbor to the north. Mallika Sherawat got exported to star in Jackie Chan’s Around the World in 80 Days, and Akshay Kumar’s Chandni Chowk to China, partially shot on the mainland, is set for release in January 2009. Watch out world - Bollywood and China are taking over!
It’s September and true to form, the Bollywood bunch is using the lull before the holidays to perform good works. Cynics may think it’s the perfect time to focus on publicity before the coming holiday rush of films, but we’ll just assume that the Eid/Diwali spirit has taken over Filmistan.
Shabana Azmi and Shatrughan Sinha took a trip out to flood-damaged areas of Bihar to bring attention to the plight of the local people, despite their ongoing feud. The glamourous activist and no-nonsense AIDS epidemic-denying former Health Minister make an odd pair, but it’s just dandy when Bollywood stars mix politics with pleasure, isn’t it?
Meanwhile, Ajay Devgan decided to give back to his fans (our favorite cause célèbre, ahem, ahem). While shooting London Dreams in the UK, he’s maintaining an email address for fans to send him queries to which he will respond personally. That’s what we call accountability, Bollywood-style.
Of course, philanthropy begins at home – and there’s no one the stars enjoy giving back to more than themselves. Continuing Bollywood’s tradition of nepotistic goodwill, Vikram Bhatt is taking on Aditya Narayan (son of star crooner Udit), for his next film, a “love-horror” story. Considering how Aditya’s last career ended (the Sa Re Ga Ma Pa challenge host had to drop out of singing and leave the county when his voice cracked), let’s hope the audience’s reaction is more love and less horror.
Bollywood’s favorite charity case, Vivek Oberoi, dropped by Sajid Khan’s new “Superstars” show to continue his abject apologies to the world. The prodigal son has been unsuccessful in his attempts to get back to the top, but Bollywood won’t let him go – seems someone is enjoying the writhe. This time, Sajid gifted the young man a copy of How to Influence People and Win Friends and coaxed Vivek into admitting his mistakes, including an inflated ego. Keep dangling those carrots, Bollywood!
Finally, the man who made Vivek a pariah, Salman Khan, put the kibosh on rumors that the Salman Khan Home for Unemployed Actresses is open for business. Subhash Ghai confirms that Salman and Katrina are starring in his next film, and the couple is presenting a united front. So, to all those pretty girls looking for work in Bollywood – better luck next time!
