‘Bollywood is getting more sophisticated’
1 Nov 2014 10:33 PM GMT
Hollywood director Michael Hoffman says the Hindi film industry is not only finding space at international festivals but is also becoming more ‘sophisticated’ while remaining rooted. ‘Bollywood is shifting and changing. Bollywood is getting more sophisticated and broader but still maintaining the roots of Indian cinema,’ Hoffman, who is here to promote his movie The Best of Me, told IANS in an interview.
‘It’s getting more respect from all over the world, and even at the (international film) festivals it is making its place,’ he added.
His keen eyes have noticed not just the growth of Bollywood; they seem to be in tune with the movies that matter. ‘I have heard a lot about Haider and Maqbool. These are some interesting films,’ said Hoffman, praising Vishal Bhardwaj’s two most appreciated works, which are adaptations of Shakespeare’s Macbeth and Hamlet.
Interestingly, his The Best Of Me too is an adaptation. It is based on Nicholas Sparks’ similarly titled romantic novel. Despite making good movies, an Oscar is still a distant dream for Bollywood filmmakers. How so? ‘I don’t know that... Indian films are different.
It has a more realistic approach, but one thing that gets difficult for India is the existence of the massive Bollywood tradition,’ he said. But he was confident that it would one day hit the bull’s eye. ‘I also feel that Bollywood is sort of coming up.
People are a lot more interested and the marriage between the Bollywood style and strong content like Haider... that kind of film (with) serious content and distinctive style will definitely get a crossover recognition,’ he added. Hoffman’s The Best of Me hits the screens in India Fri day. Asked what prompted him to make a film on the novel, he said: ‘I was going through a phase in my life where I had lost faith in love and this came along. So I thought I should make it and it worked.’
Hoffman teamed up with James Marsden and Michelle Monaghan to bring this intriguing love story on the big screen.
Lately, quite a few Hollywood directors are inclined towards adaptations of bestsellers. Talking about the trend, Hoffman said: ‘In the case of these books, there is a huge readership.’
‘It’s getting more respect from all over the world, and even at the (international film) festivals it is making its place,’ he added.
His keen eyes have noticed not just the growth of Bollywood; they seem to be in tune with the movies that matter. ‘I have heard a lot about Haider and Maqbool. These are some interesting films,’ said Hoffman, praising Vishal Bhardwaj’s two most appreciated works, which are adaptations of Shakespeare’s Macbeth and Hamlet.
Interestingly, his The Best Of Me too is an adaptation. It is based on Nicholas Sparks’ similarly titled romantic novel. Despite making good movies, an Oscar is still a distant dream for Bollywood filmmakers. How so? ‘I don’t know that... Indian films are different.
It has a more realistic approach, but one thing that gets difficult for India is the existence of the massive Bollywood tradition,’ he said. But he was confident that it would one day hit the bull’s eye. ‘I also feel that Bollywood is sort of coming up.
People are a lot more interested and the marriage between the Bollywood style and strong content like Haider... that kind of film (with) serious content and distinctive style will definitely get a crossover recognition,’ he added. Hoffman’s The Best of Me hits the screens in India Fri day. Asked what prompted him to make a film on the novel, he said: ‘I was going through a phase in my life where I had lost faith in love and this came along. So I thought I should make it and it worked.’
Hoffman teamed up with James Marsden and Michelle Monaghan to bring this intriguing love story on the big screen.
Lately, quite a few Hollywood directors are inclined towards adaptations of bestsellers. Talking about the trend, Hoffman said: ‘In the case of these books, there is a huge readership.’
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