This week, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced a new initiative to support its screenwriters inside and outside the country called “Ticket to Bollywood”. This initiative, launched by the Dubai Film and TV Commission (DFTC), is the result of decades of diplomatic relations between the UAE and India, and was designed to nurture the talent of Emirati screenwriters and help them continue their work with some of the best Bollywood studios.
Saeed Aljanahi, Director of Operations at DFTC, spoke on the occasion: “We are delighted to enrich our relationship with greater cultural and creative engagement”. He also explained that the initiative will give Emirati screenwriters the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge, while gaining invaluable experience working with established screenwriters and directors in Bollywood.
DFTC is currently accepting applications through its official website. Applicants aged 18 and over will need to upload their contact details, valid ID and portfolio. Shortlisted applicants will be asked to share a story idea covering genres such as action, drama or romance.
From TV dramas to movies, Bollywood offers a wide range of entertainment that is highly regarded around the world, rivaling only Hollywood, Japanese and South Korean media. According to IMDb, some of the highest-grossing movies in the UAE include Bollywood hits, such as “Baahubali 2: The Conclusion”, “Bajrangi Bhaijaan”, “Dangal” and others.
Indeed, working closely with such an established film industry is a great way to learn from experts in the field, and it’s also an opportunity for the UAE and India to exchange ideas and experience. expertise.
“Bollywood has a special place in the hearts of locals and expatriates in the region. For decades, Indian culture, from food and fashion to film and song, has interacted with and influenced ours. “, Aljanahi said of the Indian film industry.