Hollywood actor Ted Raimi has voiced his admiration for Indian cinema, particularly lauding the much-celebrated ‘Singham’ franchise featuring Ajay Devgn. During a recent interview with Hindustan Times, Raimi—whose latest film Failure was recently showcased at the Red Lorry Film Festival curated by BookMyShow—expressed his fondness for Bollywood films, highlighting his attraction to India’s distinctive cinematic flair.
Despite never having visited India, Raimi shared his fascination with the rapid growth and vibrant storytelling of the Indian film industry. “I have not come to India. I always wanted to go to India. The very few Indian movies that do make it over to America, I eagerly await them and watch them all the time. I especially love the action movies. I think you guys make some of the greatest action movies of all time without a doubt,” he remarked enthusiastically.
Raimi was asked about his favourite Indian filmmaker, but he hesitated to mention a name for fear of mispronunciation. He described a memorable film he watched in theatres, featuring a “super cop who goes after bad guys” while balancing a familial devotion. Upon enquiry, when it was revealed to be Ajay Devgn’s Singham, Raimi’s excitement was palpable. “I just love Singham and its sequel,” he confirmed with a bright smile.
The Spider-Man, Candyman, and Supernatural star went on to discuss his admiration for Indian action films, praising their unique blend of music, dance, comedy, and action. “The Indian action movies come with a mix of music, dance, comedy, and action. It’s incredibly unique to the entire world. Nobody has that style like you guys do. Even when people try to imitate it, it fails. They fall flat on their face. Your film industry and your culture can create those movies better than anybody,” Raimi articulated with conviction.
Ted Raimi’s recent project, Failure, a psychological thriller, is particularly notable for its innovative approach, being shot in a continuous 87-minute take. This underscores his commitment to exploring experimental storytelling in cinema.
The global acknowledgment from Hollywood lends a significant nod to Ajay Devgn’s ‘Singham’ and Indian action films, hinting at the growing influence of Bollywood across borders, an exciting prospect for the Indian film industry.
