I Love Bollywood, says Stephen Woolley

Panaji, Nov 29 (UNI) Landing here amid a galore of grouses against dominance of Bollywood in the Indian cinema at the International Film Festival of India, celebrated British director Stephen Woolley today minced no words in recounting its charms.

"I love Bollywood. They are fantastic. It is whole genre of new kind of films for us," Mr Woolley said after being invited to the Master Classes session of the IFFI.

"The vibrancy, colour, music and spectacle of Bollywood is unmatched. There is a freshness about this cinema that cannot but appeal to you," he added.

"You do not need any foreigners. Bollywood has such a large market in the country. It is self-sustaining," he said in response to criticism of poor representation from other countries.

Adding to that Indian-born Paris-based filmmaker Vijay Singh, who started the tradition of holding Master Classes sessions at IFFI, said European cinema has been a victim of extreme realism and that perhaps explains the charm of Bollywood for them.

"This cinema has a fantasy element, there is a taste of dream here which attracts us all to it," he added.

Replying to a question about the scope of co-production between the UK and Indian filmmakers, Mr Woolley said he was not yet aware of any formalised arrangement but if and when it happened he would like to work in the counry.

Asked about the advantage for UK film makers in India, he said, "I sees the advantage not in terms of economising on the cost of production, but in terms of any new experience India can give. Both the countries have had so much in common. They can give a lot to each other." UNI NAZ NK BD1822