What makes us different?

[Gray_Area]

Bollywood hasn't quite come to the mainstream US consciousness, but I'm sure it will within ten years. 

I hope you don't mean to say that it'll make a difference. Cos . . . Bollywood is awful.

Not any worse than any other non-western culture, though now and then as good as WC.

[danny_galaga]

Lookit that fat cat! There's a pun there I'm sure.

Also same with UK or Australian actors. If they have the talent to earn the big bikkies, then Hollywood it is, because that is where the action is. So then you notice 'oh, all the UK or Australian actors would rather be in the US', when actually, they would rather be on the French Riviera, but who films there?

A lot of films in the 50s and 60s were in places like that. In any case, Bollywood hasn't quite come to the mainstream US consciousness, but I'm sure it will within ten years.  Show the average american over 40 (especially a christian patriot) pictures of bustling Dubai and such, and I bet they'd ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- their pants.

Bollywood will take off in the West the way Yoga does. A few people will experiment, but most would rather do things the western way. EVERY Bollywood movie is a song and dance. It's very different to the Western method of acting, which actually is method acting! (Stricktly speaking, method acting is Eastern, as it comes from 19th century Russia). But you get the idea. In the West, and Far East, we prefer a style that's based in realism, even if it's fantasy. In Bollywood, every five minutes everyone breaks out in song and dance. To give you an example, an Indian co-worker was complaining to me that even hard hitting true drama does this. He told me about a movie based on the true story of uncovering corruption in the Indian Air Force, which was resulting in shoddy maintenance, and in turn resulting in tragic accidents. But even he got fed up with everyone breaking out in song and dance every five minutes! A Western audience won't be able to receive that as a serious story. I know I'd just be rolling in the isles.

Bollywood has been bigger than Hollywood for a long time. India has a large population, enough to fuel it, and to cater for their cultural tastes. They have have special 'bollywood' sessions at a couple of cinemas here. Do you know who mostly goes to see them? Homesick Indians, naturally.

Also, Dubai is in the Middle-East, not India. What I know about Dubai is that there are no footpaths, and that if you wanted to go for a walk in the park 1km away from your hotel, you'll have to take a taxi...

[saint]

[shmokes]

Lol . . . I couldn't have said it better.