India, China must collaborate for movies, culture: Jackie Chan (Interview)

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Jackie Chan, one of Asian cinema's most prominent faces, is keen that India, the world's largest film producing nation, and China, globally the second largest film market, must collaborate to make movies, and exchange culture more often. Singing and dancing in a Bollywood film is also on his wish-list!

In the capital to inaugurate the Chinese Film Festival, jointly organised by the India-China Economic and Cultural Council in association with both India and China, the 59-year-old star of movies like "Police Story", "Rush Hour" and "The Myth" was "excitedly happy" with the warm reception from his fans.

Such initiatives - film festivals, cultural exchange programmes and music events - will "definitely" help the nations in improving relations, he said.

"There are (many) productions, studios and directors, you can hire some of the Chinese stars - actors, actresses to act in the movies or find some Chinese location (for your films)," Chan told IANS in an interview.

He cited his experience of working with Bollywood actress Mallika Sherawat in the 2005 martial arts-based fantasy adventure film "The Myth".

"I worked with Mallika because there was a scope for something Indian (in the film)... (For Indian element) we know we need to come to India. But yes, I've always known India is a big market for films, and I believe we should collaborate for culture, music, movies, and everything," he added.

Chan came on a two-day visit to India, accompanied by actors Mengyu Zhang and Xingtong Yao, as well as Cai Fuchao, Chaina's minister of State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari held delegation level talks with his visiting Chinese counterpart Cai Fuchao here Tuesday to work out ways to screen more Indian films in China, and to discuss film co-production possibilities.

Chan, a global action star, admits he has been offered Bollywood movies in recent years.

"There are Bollywood directors who want to hire me and they want to make a movie, and also they want me to help them to make a movie in China. But because of the script, I didn't really like it, so we didn't make the deal! But I really hope someday I can make one Bollywood movie, singing, dancing... that's what I want," he said with a childlike innocence.

He also wants to be instrumental in taking a bit of different cultures from around the world, including from India, to his homeland.

"Actually, I should come to India to bring more Indian culture to China. Like for 'Chinese Zodiac', I went to (shoot in) Paris. So, I want to bring back other cultures to China," he said.

Recalling "The Myth", he added: "It had Indian culture and Indian action. When I showed it in China, people said, 'Oh wow! Now that's something new!'"

He admits being "pretty lucky" to have the "money to travel around the world and to make something that brings different cultures to China".

As for India, it intrigues and interests him, with its "locations" more than anything else, apart from the love he receives everytime he comes here.