Old formula films are flopping, says Yash Chopra

There is one simple reason behind the recent surge in popularity of Bollywood in the West, says legendary Indian filmmaker Yash Chopra. "People who see our films feel happy," he said.

Indeed, Bollywood's pulling power of romance, costumes, music, comedy and stories is helping to propel Hindi films beyond the Indian diaspora and into mainstream cinemas around the globe as well as reaching the world of marketing and advertising.

"Bollywood is doing damn good business overseas," said Chopra, who is here as a member of the jury for the German capital's 56th international film festival which runs until Feb 19.

His invitation to join the jury is a reflection both of his reputation as one of most prominent members of the Indian film industry as well as the worldwide interest in Bollywood movies.

In fashion, music clothes and food - "India is happening" said Chopra, whose filmmaking career spans almost half a century with love and romance the central themes of the more than 30 films he has directed and produced over the years.

Born in Lahore (now Pakistan) in 1932, he initially worked as an assistant director to moviemaker IS Johar and on films made by his brother B.R. Chopra.

He made his directorial debut in 1959 with Dhool ka Phool, a story about unwed motherhood, illegitimacy and hopes for communal harmony.

Just over a decade later he established his own company, Yash Raj Films before rapidly becoming one the most powerful moguls in Hindi films pumping out a series of smash box office hits.
"Today audiences are ready to accept anything different," he said. He quickly added: "You have to give them a package of full entertainment."

As India changes rapidly, Bollywood has been questioning its direction with Chopra saying that movies using what Indian cinema calls the old formula (comprising a few songs, a couple of comedy routines and several action scenes) were starting to lose their audience appeal.

"Films made using the old formula have been starting to flop", he said.

"We have to present new subjects," said Chopra with Bollywood beginning to tackle questions like sexuality and political issues including corruption as well as international standard action films.