Why Indian Films Cannot Do Business Like Hollywood Movies

Last updated on February 18th, 2024 at 08:23 am

The past few months have been extraordinary in terms of business collections in the Indian Film Industry, particularly in Bollywood, which primarily produces Hindi language films. Movies such as Pathaan, Gadar 2, and Jawan have achieved remarkable success not only in India but also in overseas markets, surpassing all expectations and all previous records.

Although the overseas market for Hindi films is steadily growing, it still falls far short of the immense success enjoyed by Hollywood movies worldwide. Hollywood blockbusters have a much wider international appeal and generate significantly higher box office numbers compared to Hindi films in foreign markets.

Statistics suggest that, if the 50 highest-grossing Hollywood movies of all time based on Rotten Tomatoes ratings are taken, the average global collection of these movies is about $1.3 billion. Another source provides a list of the highest-grossing Hollywood movies worldwide for each year from 1915 to 2022. The average global collection of these movies is about $1.1 billion.

On the other hand, if the top 50 Bollywood movies are considered, the average global collection is under $100 million. This significant difference in average global collection between Hollywood and Bollywood movies highlights the contrasting scale and reach of these two film industries. While Hollywood movies consistently generate billions of dollars in revenue, Bollywood movies tend to have a more localized appeal with comparatively lower box office earnings on a global scale. This disparity can be attributed to various factors such as the size of the target audience, distribution networks, and marketing strategies employed by each industry. 

What is the reason behind Bollywood’s inferiority to Hollywood films in terms of box office gross worldwide? Will Bollywood or Hindi films ever be able to match the collection of Hollywood films?

Let’s understand the factors which explains why Hindi films cannot collect like Hollywood films.

Creativity:

Hollywood movies offer a greater range of diversity and innovation when it comes to genres, themes, and stories. They delve into a wide range of subjects and themes, including science fiction, fantasy, horror, and social commentary. Additionally, they explore various formats and styles, including animation, documentary, and mockumentary. Indian movies tend to follow a more formulaic and predictable approach when it comes to genres, themes, and stories. Their main focus is on romance, comedy, or action genres. They also adhere to a consistent structure and pattern, which typically includes the presence of a hero, a heroine, a villain, a climax, and ultimately, a happy ending.

Technology

Hollywood movies employ cutting-edge technology and special effects, such as CGI or motion capture, to produce breathtaking visuals and lifelike scenes. Additionally, they have access to superior equipment and facilities, including cameras and sound studios. Indian movies have been slower to adopt advanced technology and continue to rely heavily on traditional methods like makeup and props. In addition, they also have to deal with the inadequate infrastructure.

Language and settings

Hollywood movies predominantly use the English language, which is widely spoken and comprehended across the globe. Indian movies are primarily produced in Hindi or other regional languages, which can restrict their appeal to a worldwide audience. Indian movies often continue to use Hindi as the primary language, even when they are set in foreign locations. However, this choice may not always align with the local culture or context.

Music

Songs and dances are integral components of Indian movies, reflecting the rich cultural heritage and traditions of India. However, international viewers may not appreciate these musical numbers as much as they may prefer genres that are more realistic or serious. Hollywood movies typically do not feature songs and dances, unless they fall under the genre of musicals.

Industry size

Bollywood produces over 1,000 movies annually, which is twice the number of movies produced by Hollywood. However, this increased competition and limited time for innovation may result in a decline in the quality and originality of movies. Hollywood movies typically boast larger budgets and higher production values, making them more appealing to viewers and ultimately resulting in higher revenue generation.

Production houses

Major Hollywood movies are supported by well-established studios like Warner Bros and Disney, which possess extensive global networks and distribution systems. Additionally, they possess greater creative control and exert a significant influence over the movies they produce. Most Indian movies are typically produced by individual producers or production houses, such as Yash Raj Films or Dharma Productions. These entities often have limited resources and a narrower reach compared to larger studios. Additionally, they must contend with increased censorship and regulatory measures imposed by governmental and other authoritative entities.

Melodrama

Indian movies are known for their emotional and sentimental tone and expression. Exaggerated dialogues, gestures, and music are utilized to effectively convey the feelings and emotions of the characters. Additionally, these movies feature a greater amount of drama and conflict, encompassing elements such as family disputes, love triangles, and revenge plots. Hollywood movies often exhibit a greater level of subtlety and realism in terms of their tone and expression. The characters’ personalities and motivations are portrayed through the use of natural dialogues, actions, and sounds. In addition, they possess a greater amount of humor and irony, encompassing elements like sarcasm, satire, and parody.

Duration

Indian movies are longer and have intermissions, affecting the pace, flow, and viewer interest. Hollywood movies, on the other hand, are shorter and lack intermissions, enhancing the speed, continuity, and viewer engagement.

Though the Indian movies which includes movies from Bollywood and from different Regions do not compete with the Hollywood movies in business collections, still they are very entertaining to the audience they cater and enjoy a huge popularity among Indian public whether they live inside or outside of the country.