Can Bollywood make movies for international audiences

With three Indians winning Oscars, will Bollywood directors be keen on making films that appeal to not just Indians the world over, but international audiences as well? Also, will they consider making these films in English? We spoke to a few directors to find out.

Bhootnath director Ravi Chopra
With this win, international audiences will certainly pay more attention to Indian films. A few may even make movies in English. However, this transition will take time. I'm happy for A.R. Rahman and Resul who have made us proud.

Jaane Tu Yaa Jaane Naa director Abbas Tyrewala
I don’t think we should make films in English because we need to make movies for Indians. Films that appeal to international audiences need not be in English. Meanwhile, I'm very happy that Rahman is also composing the music for my second film.

Shoot On Sight director Jagmohan Mundhra
In my career, I have directed 36 films and 32 of them have been in English. Most of the English ones were appreciated globally because our scripts differ greatly from western ones. Their way of writing is completely different. Slumdog’s script is very well written.

Jannat producer Mukesh Bhatt
Slumdog is not an Indian film. The crew is largely English. The aim is to make a good Indian film. The aim is not to make a movie that appeals to international audiences. We must make films for the common Indian. Also, there isn’t any need to call the win, India’s win. It’s only Rahman and Resul who are Indian.

Teen Patti director Leena Yadav
Indian movies have been appreciated before. I think the real difference here is that a technician won an award. And in India we never pay any attention to technicians and other people who work behind the scenes.