MUMBAI: Indian film industry has failed to utilise strategic opportunities with the film industries of other Asian countries. There is lack of scripts which would appeal to a larger audience, unnecessary sosha is made about the look and grandeur behind a film- without any thought process going that there is a market of Indian films in other Asian countries.

These words by Asian Movie works MD Scott Rosenberg at the Ficci Frames 2004 seminar on "Strategic Opportunities between the film industries of India and Asia" set the tone for further discussion which kept hinging on the fact that the fault lay within India itself.

The session had eminent personalities like Quixotic president Mark Byers, Technicolor MD Les Mckenzie, C P Packaging assistant VP Pongsak Kantiratanawong and Take Aim Productions cinematographer Frank Biffone.

The following were some of the views expressed by the panelists who advocated the need for better ties in the entertainment industry between India and other Asian countries:

- Nobody in other Asian countries seem to know how film business is conducted in India.
- The growing menace of piracy should be wiped out.
- Co-production between India and other Asian countries should be encouraged and Indian filmmakers should not impose the subjects on their partners; there should be a constant dialogue between the two parties on what and why they are making.
- Quality of films need to be aimed at the festival circuit; this would inspire other nations to come forward for tie-ups.
- Government should give concession to all the co-productions that materialise in this regard.
- There is no need to fear that the films be in English; films can always be dubbed, Indian stars have lots of international value.
- Merchandising of films should be looked into.
- Need for schools to teach script and screenplay writing in India; however there is no dearth of stories per se. As many the people in India, that many the stories.