I've always thought that the genre of science fiction is essential for a leading technological society. Some of what comes to pass, is ripped directly from the childhood exposure to a fictitious future. As a prime example, I strongly believe the United States wouldn't have led the world in aeronautics and the exploration of the moon had it not been for cheesy 1950's sci-fi. Furthermore, in a different vein, I think the iPad exists today because in the 1980's we saw such devices in the movies.Clearly, any technology must be dreamed up before it can be created.
It is very interesting to see science fiction films coming out of Bollywood now. That's why I am going to see an Indian film today called Ra.One starring Shah Rukh Khan. I want to witness the awakening this genre in a different country. It wasn't long ago that I'd never heard of a Bollywood sci-fi flick. Then, Koi... Mil Gaya was made about eight years ago. To me this signifies a change in the industry from looking at India's broad and sweeping past towards a future. I wonder if these films and their success bode well for a continued technological development of Indian society.
It also poses a new question: Does China have any history of science fiction in films?