Hollywood Movies Make Way into India's Cinemas

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Hollywood movies are beginning to grab a bigger chunk of India's huge movie 
market, traditionally dominated by its own film industry, which is known as 
Bollywood. There's good news for Hollywood films in India: a larger Indian 
audience than ever before is viewing them. The Matrix Revolutions opened in 
India and 60 other countries earlier this month, and theater owners say it 
ran to packed audiences for several days. It is the latest Hollywood movie 
to have fared well in India. Last year, Spiderman grossed more than $6.5 
million, which is more than many hits from India's own film industry, 
called Bollywood. 

Bollywood produces nearly 1,000 films a year, and while it retains its sway 
over India's billion-plus population, theater owners say Hollywood films 
are getting more popular. Film distributors say films with action, suspense 
and special effects fare best because Indian films often lack these. 
According to industry estimates, Hollywood films now gross about 8-10 
percent of the Indian film market, which is worth approximately $120 
million. The explosive growth of multi-screen theaters is also helping 
Hollywood movies do well. In the past year, India's entertainment industry 
has built more multiplexes to cater to middle and upper class cinema-goers 
in New Delhi and Bombay. More are opening in smaller towns. However, 
Bollywood watchers say the popularity of Hollywood films represents no 
threat to the Indian industry, and insist the Indian market is big enough 
to allow both to co-exist. 

Source:
http://www.voanews.com/article.cfm?objectID=121DE9F6-68E6-426A-
A923B60C2DCCE27B