Ronnie Screwvala: "New Generation Filmmakers are Very Conscious of Copyright"

As UTV expands into the US and Hollywood moves into the Indian market, do you think more people are becoming aware of copyright?
Now there is a much more global landscape. Therefore, there has been a change in overall thinking in terms of copying and being inspired. The new generation of filmmakers, writers and directors are very conscious of copyright. Also, new ideas in scripts are working well. But when people don’t copy, it’s not really a principled situation. Instead, audiences are reacting more to local ideas instead of Hollywood-inspired films. Also, Hollywood is taking notice, but this does not account for more than 80 percent of the reason for the change.

Does this represent a real shift in Bollywood?
Yes. About five or six years ago, 90 percent of movies were copies. Today, maybe10 out of 100 are copies.

How will greater accountability for copyright affect your business decisions in the future? How does UTV feel about lifting from Hollywood films?
Almost everything we have done at UTV is original. UTV has had no issues with copyright infringement. It is not the way we operate and we also want to be successful on a global scale. There was a project called Shoebite that came to us and we were told it was original. But then we figured out it wasn’t and the rights belonged to Fox, so we dropped it.

Has the entrance of Hollywood caused greater corporatisation and tighter contracts? How has Bollywood changed in this sense?
What used to work pretty well orally now works in writing. Bollywood is becoming more aware of their rights. People are buying options on sequels.

There are some UTV films which many have said were inspired from Hollywood films. For example, Race has been compared to the Goodbye Lover and Kismat Connection has been compared to the Just My Luck. How do you account for these?
Race and Kismet Connection are examples of one-liners. One-liners should not be misconstrued as plagiarism. These in-your-face commercial films are examples of these. But I don’t think there is as much plagiarism as there is made out to be.

Do you think legal action by Hollywood might force Bollywood to make more original fare?
Original fare works. TV is one of the best examples as 95 percent has always worked with original content. Since day one, TV has licensed format, nobody is copying.

So far, I don’t think Bollywood is intimidated by legal action. Cases have not gone in favour of Hollywood. But four years back people were making very different movies than they are now. There has been a 95 percent change with the entry of new people. Audience taste is changing. The new generation has introduced new original content and the audience has taken to it very well.

How successful do you think Hollywood can be in Bollywood?
Hollywood understands this is not the place for legal enforcement but for partnerships and joint ventures. They will find it difficult to work here though and adjust to the local ethics. Even in partnerships, it will be hard. Hollywood will have a hard time penetrating into Hindi cinema because it is new to them.

When UTV goes into the US, we stand behind the film because we know they know more about it. The problem is when they come here they think they know better and want to be in front of the film. If you’re working together, then you will be more successful.

Do you think Hollywood can be successful in taking legal action?
Hollywood can be successful in lawsuits. The courts will not protect the Indian industry if they are wrong.

How has your relationships been with Hollywood producers? What do you see for the future of those relationships?
It has been pretty seamless dealing with Hollywood. There is a new generation with a fresh mindset. But it’s a “who knows” industry as far as the future goes. I can say that there is no charm in Hollywood coming here. No one here is waiting with bated breath. People like the strong local fare. Maybe if a Hollywood company is really committed they can be successful here but not if they run away after the first two films they make.