英語で読むデザイン【18】『映画におけるインドと日本の関係』

インドの映画といえば陽気なダンスというイメージが強い部分もありますが、実はそうした映画産業が日印の関係をすこしづつ牽引する存在になっているようです。映画『パッドマン 5億人の女性を救った男』をはじめとして、インドにおいて、映画は社会を変える力があります。インド映画をもっと知ってみましょう。

Indo-Jap Bollywood Connection

Despite the fact that the Japanese entertainment market is dominated by Hollywood films and also by Korean and Chinese ones, the emotional drama, dance and song sequences prevalent in Bollywood have clearly enthralled the hearts of the Japanese. Japanese girls are enticed by the dance sequences in Bollywood and have even known to give up on their jobs and come to India to learn dance!! They then return and pursue it as a second career in Japan. Bollywood is loaded with dance, songs and glamour that captures the attention of the Japanese youth. Since Bollywood is filled with diverse genres like comedy, thrillers, love stories etc, the Indian filmmakers attract Japanese audiences as also reported by Japanese Actress Harumi Shuhama. Japanese audiences enjoy the “heart-warming dramas” and the combination of laughter, tears and general emotions”

Tamil movies are quite famous in Japan and Rajnikanth is the most popular Indian star. It was with the 1998 release of Rajinikanth-starrer ‘Muthu – The Dancing Maharajah’ that Indian films caught attention of the Japanese. Apart from southern movies, Akshay Kumar-starrer Padman, released in Japan on December 2018, raked in $671,455.64 (Rs 4.78 crore approximately) and Bajrangi Bhaijaan starring Salman Khan, $196,062.46 (Rs 1.39 crore).

Where Bollywood remakes originals and creates a thrill, Japanese movies are more of a reflection of the people, culture. Japanese culture is known to be extremely hospitable, polite and kind to outsiders. Indians have always been attracted to the differences in the cultures which is one of the reasons they watch Japanese movies. Being emotional people, Indians love to watch real stuff and that is something that is showcased in Japanese movies. In fact, the Japanese film festival in January 2020 in Mumbai was houseful every other night. Through its collection of contemporary films, it allows an insight into the Japanese life. Japanese movies are also loved by the Indian youth as they are much more detailed than Indian ones. Also, amidst Japanese movies, anime captured the attention of the Indian youth is still a hot favourite. Indians watch classic Japanese Films like those of Akira Kurosawa (Rashomom, Seven Samurai, Yojimbo, Ikiru) and Yasujirō Ozu (Tokyo Story, Late Spring) as well.

Both natives enjoy each other's movies because despite the differences, the cultures are intricately connected and are reflected in the movies: an all-time favourite of the youth.