Malaysia calls for greater cooperation with Bollywood

Cebu, Jan 14 (UNI) Stressing the important role that Bollywood films were playing in bringing people of India and South East Asia closer to each other, Malaysia today called for greater cooperation among film-makers of the region.

Speaking at the 5th India-ASEAN Summit here on this central Phillipines island, Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi suggested there could be joint production and direction of films by India and ASEAN countries.

Mr Badawi pointed out that Indian actors were extremely popular among the people of the region.

"They don't understand the Bollywood songs but they sing them, they like the beat and rhythm," Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath quoted Mr Badawi as saying.

Mr Kamal Nath felt this proposal could add a new dimension to the relations between India and this region.

UNI