China Picks Bollywood Over Hollywood

North America may be the largest film market in the world, but China is quickly emerging as the top spot for foreign-language movies made outside Hollywood. “Secret Superstar,” a Hindi-language hit, has topped China’s box office since its local release on Jan. 19, outdrawing even “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” according to ticketing-data provider Maoyan. The Bollywood film is expected to gross $117 million in China, Maoyan estimates. By comparison, the biggest take for a foreign-language film ever in the North American market was the $128 million for “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” almost two decades ago.