Mumbai: Bollywood may shun marketing its movies in China for the time being amidst the growing anti-Chinese sentiment in India following the Galwan valley clash.
“Anyway due to COVID-19, all markets including China have come to standstill. So I don’t think any production house would think about releases till the situation improves. But even then, we would have to look at the existing political situation and I do think producers will be compelled to stay away from releasing films in China,” a filmmaker told Live Mint on condition of anonymity.
On the other hand, film distributor and exhibitor Akshaye Rathi said the Chinese market at best is a “good add-on” because China anyway doesn’t allow more than three or four Indian films a year. “We can always let it go,” Rathi added.
The Bollywood success story in China began more than a decade ago with Aamir Khan’s ‘3 Idiots’ that grossed Rs 16 crore there. It was followed by ‘PK’ (Rs 123 crore), ‘Dangal’ (Rs 1,200 crore) and ‘Secret Superstar’ (Rs 700 crore). Other hits came with Irrfan Khan’s ‘Hindi Medium’ (Rs 300 crore) and Ayushmann Khurrana’s ‘Andhadhun’ (Rs 324 crore).
Industry experts said massive screen count is an important factor for Indian films to have managed such impressive theatrical returns in China. Then there is the difference in ticket rates. The average ticket price in China is $12 compared with India’s $1.5. But most importantly, Indian stories with their strong emotional chord have resonated with Chinese audiences, who are used to either Hollywood spectacles or Chinese mythologies and fantasies.
