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KABIR KHAN TRAVELS TO CHINA WITH A BOLLYWOOD HERO
By Roshmila Bhattacharya, Mumbai Mirror | Feb 19, 2016, 12.00 AM IST
Kabir Khan travels to China with a Bollywood hero
The first Indo-China co-production is in the pipeline; will open one of the biggest markets in the world.
The first Indo-China co-production will roll with Kabir Khan as the director, a Bollywood A-lister and a Chinese actress as the leading lady. "It's a human drama, a journey film with a story which demands that the character travel from India to China," informs Ajit Thakur of Trinity Pictures banner, a franchise studio of Eros International which is co-producing the as-yet-untitled project.
He further informs that Eros was the only film company to accompany the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to China during his official visit and signed agreements with three of the biggest filmmaking groups there. "Last September, we went back and narrated some subjects to them and they liked two. This is the first one that we are developing," informs Ajit, admitting that it was a bit of a risk to start with given its unconventional storyline, but is now looking bigger.
Kabir adds that the protagonist not only journeys physically, but there's a change in attitude and perception too. They are still scripting so he refuses to set a deadline or divulge details. He is simultaneously putting together a project with Sajid Nadiadwala and Hrithik Roshan and there's a third film with Salman that will roll soon. "I haven't decided which one will go on the floors first," says the Bajrangi Bhaijaan director.
Both Ajit and Kabir are really excited about breaking into a market which offers 25,000 screens as compared to the 5,000 that the biggest Indian film gets back home. "The Chinese market is five times bigger than ours and growing every month. Culturally, we are very alike and yet different, and language is a barrier, but I'm really excited about this bona fide Indo-China production," exults Kabir.
Ajit goes on to point out that China has been a restricted market so far, allowing only about 20 Hollywood titles in a year and around five Hindi films, of which two are their co-productions from last year. "But this one will release as a local Chinese film and not as part of the quota. A major portion of it will be filmed there as the script demands and we have been promised preferential treatment," says the gung-ho producer.
Finally, for the big question: Who will be the B'wood hero to travel from Chandni Chowk to China? "They want a big star and Kabir being a big director shouldn't have a problem getting one," quips Ajit.
Kabir adds with a laugh, "Aamir, Shah Rukh, Salman and Hrithik, they are our biggest stars, hopefully we will get one of them."
Kumkum Bhagya
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