Pushpa 2: Rules. Photo: AR Film Studio / Muttamsetty Med
Nearly 300 Indian films have been shown in cinemas across New Zealand in the past two years.
This is a sign of a thriving market, and not just because the Indian population is now New Zealand’s third largest ethnic group.
Indian films, commonly referred to as Bollywood films, are increasingly winning Oscars and attracting diverse audiences in New Zealand.
And it’s not just Aotearoa. In Australia, Pushpa 2: The Rules set the record for the highest opening day ever for an Indian film in Australian film history.
Pritesh Raniga is the owner of Indian distribution company Forum Films, which has been bringing Indian films to Kiwi audiences since 2008.
The company has distributed 124 titles to New Zealand cinemas in the past two years alone. The distribution network extends to Australia, Fiji and Papua New Guinea and focuses primarily on Bollywood and Punjabi films.
“Exhibitors need Bollywood now. They really, really know the power of Indian cinema,” Raniga told RNZ’s Culture 101.
Raniga’s father owned a movie theater in Fiji, where he distributed movies. When he moved to New Zealand, he saw a market for distributing Indian films across the country.
“I was literally born and raised in movies.”
Pritesh Raniga is the owner of Indian distribution company Forum Films. Photo: Attached
He said New Zealand Indians and New Zealanders of Indian descent saw film as a way to “connect with their homeland”.
Some of the titles Forum Films brought to New Zealand this year include horror film Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 and heartfelt drama I Want to Talk.
And audiences outside of India have come to enjoy films that go beyond the mainstream of Oscar-winning films like Slumdog Millionaire.
“We think that movies that have a family feel and a lot of emotion are going to be enjoyed by people as well.”
For those who want to step into the world of Indian cinema, Raniga recommended ‘Baahubali’ to fans of Game of Thrones.
Oscar-winner RRR and Laapata Ladies were also two Indian films recommended by Raniga.
“It’s very unique, very unusual,” he said of the comedy-drama “Raapata Ladies.”
Forum Films will release four new films in early January, including political action thriller Game Changer, which was partially shot in New Zealand.
“It’s going to be something very unique to see our backyard in a movie theater, so we’re looking forward to it.”
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