Aamir Khan-starrer Dangal , the first top-grossing non-Hollywood film in China, earned rare praise on Wednesday from a top Chinese leader for being a “success story” that needs to be highlighted by the media in BRICS nations.
“If I remember it correctly, there is a movie in India, Wrestle my father (Chinese name for Dangal ), [and it] is very popular in China in a very short time,” with record revenues, more than Chinese movies, said Liu Yunshan, a ranking leader of the Communist Party of China (CPC). He was addressing participants of the BRICS Media Forum here.
“ Dangal is the most successful movie in recent years,” said Mr. Liu, who is ranked fifth in the powerful seven-member Standing Committee of the CPC, which rules the country.
“I think this is a very typical example of a success story. We media groups need to give it more coverage. This will serve as a good example,” he said.
The Indian media should be proud of the movie, because it was very successful and influential in China, he said.
“Perhaps we should take this opportunity to express our voice,” he said, adding that “we need things which are helpful, conducive and constructive for sure.”
Editors and journalists from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) are attending the forum being organised by the Xinhua news agency ahead of this year’s BRICS Summit to be held in the Chinese city of Xiamen in September.
Dangal, which raked in over ₹1,100 crore since it was released in China on May 5, has created history by becoming only the 33rd film in China’s history to cross RMB one billion.
It continues to play in over 7,000 screens across the country.
Fake news from west
Mr. Liu, in his address, attacked western media, saying it was spreading fake news over the past few years. “Like President Vladimir Putin said, some countries actually created fake news,” he said.
“Mainstream media in BRICS countries must strengthen efforts to disseminate more positive news about BRICS countries and we can convey more positive energy. This is our responsibility,” he said.
Media in China, which is state-controlled, enjoys freedom, he said.
