 | « Back to article | Print this article |
Guess who else features on the Variety500 list?
Salman Khan and Priyanka Chopra are among the 12 Indians named in Variety magazine's list of the 500 most influential business leaders shaping the global $2 trillion entertainment industry.
'Updated annually, the Variety500 reflects the accomplishments of its members over the previous 12 months,' Variety says on its Web site. 'They were selected by the Variety editorial board, which conducted extensive research for its selections.'
Salman Khan, Variety said, is one of the 'unrelated Khan triumvirate' comprising Aamir and Shah Rukh that has been ruling the Bollywood box office for decades.
Of the top ten grossing Bollywood films of all time, Salman has three as does Shah Rukh, while Aamir has four.
'Unlike his contemporary Khans whose fan bases are staid by comparison, every Salman release generates mass hysteria across India, a frenzy surpassed only by the fans of South Indian superstar Rajinikanth, Variety noted.
Priyanka Chopa, Variety said, had wanted to be an engineer, but changed direction after winning the 2000 Miss World Pageant.
Variety's Derek Elley praised Priyanka's 'solid screen debut' with 2003's The Hero: Love Story of a Spy (any folks out there who remember this flick?).
'Karan Johar is one of the most visible faces of the Indian entertainment industry,' announced Variety, telling us something we have known for 20 years now.
'The value of Johar in the Indian entertainment space is emphasised by the fact that Amazon Prime Video India's first announced licensing deal for feature film content was with Dharma,' Variety stated.
'Ekta Kapoor practically invented the Indian television soap, creating familial sagas that routinely have the nation in thrall,' Variety said.
'Targeting the hitherto not catered for Indian housewife market, some of her early successes include Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Kahaani Ghar Ghar Ki, Kasautii Zindagii Kay, Pavitra Rishta and Bade Acche Lagte Hain,' the magazine noted.
'Aditya Chopra is an enigmatic and influential figure in the Indian media industry who refuses to be voluntarily photographed and yet is responsible for content that influences millions,' Variety said.
'As a producer, Chopra has the deciding word in the greenlighting process, and this has held true for the 60 odd projects that he has produced,' Variety noted.
'After early career steps in consumer goods marketing, the smooth-talking Siddharth Roy Kapur honed his TV industry skills in a succession of roles for Star TV in Mumbai, Hong Kong and Dubai,' Variety said about Mr Vidya Balan.
Topping the Variety500 list is Walt Disney Company Chairman and CEO Robert Iger who, the magazine noted, 'has a strong track record for taking savvy risks'.
The other Indians on the list include Mukesh and Anil Ambani, Star India CEO Uday Shankar, Essel Group Chairman Subhash Chandra and Zee Entertainment CEO Punit Goenka.