(WSJ) There’s an unlikely box-office champion in China right now: an Indian import called “Dangal.”
The Hindi-language film, starring A-lister Aamir Khan, is based on the true story of a father who coached his two daughters in competitive wrestling.
Since opening in China on May 5, it has grossed more than 550 million yuan ($80 million). Last weekend, it topped “Guardians of the Galaxy 2” from Walt Disney Co.’s Marvel Studios to take the No. 1 spot at the Chinese box office.
The strong performance is all the more surprising given the modest expectations for “Dangal.”
Indian films have historically done poorly in China, where audiences have at times been baffled at performers suddenly breaking into elaborate dance routines, a Bollywood trademark.
“Dangal” includes an all-but-obligatory dance scene, but in this case Chinese audiences don’t seem to mind, enthralled by the tale of a father’s love and dedication to his daughters despite a few ups and downs.
“I have not cried like this for years,” said one web user on China’s Twitter-like Weibo, who advised people to come to the theater equipped with tissue.
He Wei, the general manager of E Stars Entertainment, which bought the film’s distribution rights for China, said he had thought it might at best pull in 200 million yuan. The film is now set to run for at least two more weeks in China, giving it a shot at breaking the 1 billion yuan mark.
“How much the local audiences understand and appreciate this film is really beyond my expectations,” Mr. He said.
Observers say the film appeals to the Chinese reverence for family.
“Many audiences would relate to their own relationship with their fathers,” said Tan Zheng, a deputy director with Beijing-based film art center of China Federation of Literary and Art Circles.
One fan on social media called the film “inspirational and touching,” noting that the dancing common in Indian films is kept to a minimum here.
The film also stands out by being different from the other choices at the multiplex, according to veteran Shanghai-based film critic Wang Peilei.
“This Bollywood film cast a distinct contrast with some domestic productions that lack for quality performance and script,” Mr. Wang said. “It brings freshness to local audiences.”
Chinese state media has also taken note, suggesting that Chinese filmmakers might learn from the success of “Dangal.”
“It is hard to find any recent local film to compete with ‘Dangal’ from perspective of art and realism,” according to the state-run Xinhua News Agency. “The film industry should reflect on why ‘Dangal’–which has no romance plot but still touches people with true feelings–would harvest unexpected success.”
Source: Wall Street Journal