Anil Kapoor: Bollywood should tell real stories

For Hindi cinema to find global acceptance, it is important that Bollywood filmmakers choose real issues over their song-and-dance routine, feels Anil Kapoor.

The actor, who has ventured out in international cinema with roles in “Slumdog Millionaire” and “Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol” besides starring in TV dramas like “24”, says it is important to create content that appeals to people irrespective of region.

“It is important to tell stories as they are, as real as possible. I think the more real it is the better it is. I know music and dance is our culture but I think filmmakers should use it only if it is necessary for the story then it is fine.

“Otherwise we should not. We need to focus on creating content that can be lapped up anywhere in the world. We have to create a taste for Indian films and that responsibility is on filmmakers and writers,” Anil said on the sidelines of IIFA.

The 59-year-old actor was part of a discussion with his “Slumdog Millionaire” co-star and Indian-origin Hollywood star Freida Pinto at the FICCI-IIFA Global Business Forum during which they talked about varied subjects like the relevance of Indian cinema and their Hollywood experience.

Freida, who has turned producer for women empowerment shows and films, said she is often faced with difficulties in finding financiers in Hollywood for subjects which deal with women or minority issues.

The actress, 31, at times it is also the actor’s responsibility to help a film by taking a pay cut.

“Many a times when you are telling a story which is unconventional, you don’t find supporters. I have been producing feature films, TV shows and since I am so focused on women-driven films, big producers say they don’t want to back these projects.

“Then the next quest is to find the right team and prove the big studios with conventional notions that it is possible to make a film under USD 2 million. I also feel it is important for actors to take a pay cut.”

Inputs from PTI

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Prajakta Ajgaonkar

Passionate about writing, and a Bollywood lover, she is all that is sweet and endearing! She desires to put her best foot forward in everything that she does and loves to help anyone who’s in need.