Big B wants a more professional Bollywood

LONDON: Indian films could compete globally, provided they concentrate more on quality and adopt a corporate culture, Amitabh Bachchan has said.
"I hope we can change to make quality films, technically and compete with the rest of the world," Bachchan told reporters ahead of the launch of the megashow "23 1/2 days of Bollywood" at Selfridges, a leading departmental store here on Thursday night.
"The distinction between business and entertainment has really narrowed down with a lot of business undertakings focussing on entertainment and vice versa," he added.
Asked whether Bollywood needed to change its style, he said "obviously there is something unique about Indian cinema which is attracting attention outside".
"There is a great deal of recognition to the Indian films, but I would like the film industry to break its shackles of disorganisation and cultivate a corporate culture, which will make the products truly international," Bachchan, voted Superstar of the Millennium by a BBC online poll in 2000, said.
On the Oscar-nominated film Lagaan, he said "it is very important that films like Lagaan got recognition. Its nomination to the Oscars itself is laudatory and wished success for the film".
Selfridges has been transformed into a Bollywood film studio, showcasing the best of Indian art, culture and music.
There will be over 60 live events, spectacular dance shows, music workshops with leading composers and performers, and catwalk shows featuring star Indian fashion designers.
Led by Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan, Madhuri Dixit and Dimple Kapadia, over 1,000 guests attended the all-star gala show.
Besides, make-up sessions, food-tastings, meetings with writers and directors and a series of personal appearances by Bollywood stars would also form part of the event.
The transformation of the building itself is masterminded by Bollywood''s celebrated film designer Nitin Desai whose recent works includes two Oscar nominated films, Lagaan and Mira Nair''s Salaam Bombay.
Madhuri Dixit, said, "I am very happy, honoured and delighted to be part of the show. This is a new era in Indian films."
Over 50 dancers, musicians, costume designers, production designers, set designers and choreographers will fly in to London to participate in Selfridges Bollywood entertainment programme during next three weeks.
Besides Bollywood''s film culture, the Taj group in London, the Bombay Brasserie and Quilon Restaurant are providing a taste of the best of Indian cuisine.
A range of Indian dishes like Ragda Pattis, Fish Koliwada and Belpuri Chowpatty were being served during the three-week period, Hemant Oberoi, corporate chef of Taj Luxury hotels said.
Hollywood stars Dame Judi Dench, Kate Moss, Mario Testino, Graydon Carter, Diana Abott MP, Tracey Boyd and Amanda Wakeley were present during the opening of the event.