I N D I A
L A N G U A G E S : H I N D I | M A R A T H I | P U N J A B I | T A M I L | T E L U G U | M A L A Y A L A M
G E N R E S : R O M A N C E | A C T I O N | P E R I O D D R A M A S
G E N R E S : R O M A N C E | A C T I O N | P E R I O D D R A M A S
I try to be as open as possible to discovering different things, which is the very reason why I chose to do a project that would open my eyes to how cinema differs in various countries. On the few occasions I have expressed my interest in Hindi films, I’ve always received very odd looks from my close friends. And while I do have the tendency to take such teasing responses lightheartedly as they’re meant to be taken, they do begin to feel a bit discouraging after a while. That’s a part of the reason why I’m so hesitant to keep this specific page up on my blog. I feel as though no matter how much effort I put into writing about new and unconventional interests, it just becomes some kind of long-running gag of sorts. Although I have put in a lot of thought about this topic, I’m not here to persuade you into watching a Bollywood film. There are a great deal of extraordinary things in this world, and I’m only here to encourage you to open yourself up to a topic that may be far from anything you're familiar with.
Unlike some of the other foreign film industries I’ll soon discuss throughout this extensive project, I’m already well familiar with the vibrant style and personality of what has become the world’s largest industry in film production. Ever since I had happened upon my first Bollywood film, there was truly no way I could prevent my curiosity from growing into an all out, indescribably unexpected obsession. And you know what? I don't have the faintest idea as to where this new fascination came from. I'm certainly not exposed to anything of the sort at school (seriously, try asking a teenager if he or she has even heard of the term "Bollywood") and its Indian culture is far from anything that I'm surrounded by in this small American town I live in. From the perspective of the average American viewer, the random outbursts of vibrant musical numbers may seem a bit over the top at times, but I find it to be something that greatly reflects the culture and charm of India’s approach to filmmaking. Though, such songs are more prominent in the romantic genre than that of the action drama category, but that's not to say that they're uncommon. With that said, the source of conflict in the plot usually pertains to the consequences of mixing traditional values with the modern. For instance, a romantic film may center around a young girl who falls in love with someone whom her family disapproves of, and struggles to defy against an unwanted arranged marriage.
The Bollywood industry can be somewhat of a close-knit industry. For instance, the Kapoor family is immensely popular, with names that stretch anywhere from an actor's role to the director's seat. In contrast, Hollywood does not flourish in following extensive families of actors/filmmakers as prominently as it does its reality stars (take the Kardashians, for example). However, just like Bollywood, it sure doesn't waste a good actor when it finds one. There are many talented actors and actresses that make up India's cinema (it is the largest producer of films worldwide, after all), but there are some iconic names that go on to make millions and millions in the box office. |
इंडिया
|
The term Bollywood derives from a combination of the terms Hollywood and Bombay. The city in which the Indian cinema industry is based has not changed, although its name has. The decision to change its name from Bombay to Mumbai occurred in 1995 after much debate over its politically-incorrect meaning, relating back to the time of British colonial rule over the city.
|
|
Pictured above are some of the most successful actors and actresses in the industry.
D I L W A L E D U L H A N I A L E J A Y E N G E
I’ve seen a good portion of Bollywood films, but this one in particular is just so lovely and iconic that I couldn’t resist mentioning it. In fact, I’d have to say it is one of the greatest films I've ever seen. I absolutely adore everything about it. The release of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (The Brave Hearted Will Take the Bride) was truly a pivotal point in India’s cinema, influencing nearly every romantic comedy/drama film that had followed it since 1995. Even now, after twenty years of its initial release, it is still being played in theatres, inspiring new generations of filmgoers in its wake.
As an English-speaker, I know it may seem a bit exhausting at first to know that you’d be reading subtitles throughout the entirety of the film, but don’t let that intimidate you. I felt the same way going into Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, but there were many moments that I subconsciously forgot about the foreign language barrier. Granted, I found the first scenes to be a bit slow and downright cheesy, but it took me by surprise as it continued to progress. Trust me - it is well worth the wait. I never thought a film so culturally different from my own would have such a lasting impact on me. It’s long in duration, yes, but also lovely in the sense that it shows how people can bend what is expected of them in their culture and faith while still respecting both. I think traditional values and morals are things that every family, culture, and religion struggles to cope with in today’s world, and this film certainly leaves a striking message pertaining to that issue. I recently had a conversation with my mother about this subject, and I thought I should add some of her input. After watching DDLJ in all of its emotional splendor for the first time, I just had to see it again - and what better way to enjoy a film again than to share it with someone else? Just as I had clicked the play button on my Netflix account, my mother groaned in dismay. This film had the two pesky things that will always prevent her from from watching any kind of movie: an exceedingly long length and written subtitles (that just so happen to span a duration of three hours). However, taking this risk to show her such a film proved to be rewarding for the both of us. She didn’t leave her seat once, and upon the conclusion of the movie, she commented that she didn’t want the story and its engaging characters to come to an end.
|
The longest running theatrical film in world cinema.
Perhaps the final train sequence is the most iconic, but there are so many other moments in this film that have spoofed their way into countless romance movies. The lovely chemistry between Shahrukh Khan and Kajol proved to be legendary, as the two went on to make numerous films together following the success of DDLJ. America may have its alluring Titanic couple Rose and Jack, but India has its iconic duo Raj and Simran. ♡
|
The world of foreign arts and recreations are often overlooked. I mean, after all this time you would’ve thought someone like Brad Pitt or Tom Cruise was the biggest movie star in the world, right? With the exception of the internet, we live in a society and country that tends to be a bit self centered. My mother saw her first French film once upon a time ago, and she admits that at the time she had the presumption that films were primarily made in Hollywood. It wasn't until she moved to a larger city that she was introduced to foreign cinema. She was oblivious to the idea that movies flourished so tremendously in other countries, and if I am to be honest, I think this is something that many people in this country do not realize. In fact, I suffered from the very same thing until I happened upon television shows from the United Kingdom a couple years or so ago. What I have written here certainly isn’t the be-all, end-all guide to Bollywood, but I think it very well showcases how much I’ve come to learn and realize about this culturally eye opening industry. The overall basics of what I’ve come to learn about India’s exuberant film industry - the genres, the celebrities, the significant role of Bollywood on a worldwide basis, and even one of the most iconic and influential films ever made - are all things that have truly made an impact on me. Whether or not you have the faintest interest in this topic or not, I can only hope my thoughts will encourage you to become more accepting to new things that may or may not be the typical norm.
R E S O U R C E S
"Infographic: The Indian Film Industry." Statista Infographics. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Jan. 2016. <http://www.statista.com/chart/2680/the-indian-film-industry/>.
"Bollywood vs. Hollywood - The Complete Breakdown." Bollywood. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Jan. 16. <https://mutiny.wordpress.com/2007/02/01/bollywood-vs-hollywood-the-complete-breakdown/>.
"Infographic: The Indian Film Industry." Statista Infographics. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Jan. 2016. <http://www.statista.com/chart/2680/the-indian-film-industry/>.
"Bollywood vs. Hollywood - The Complete Breakdown." Bollywood. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Jan. 16. <https://mutiny.wordpress.com/2007/02/01/bollywood-vs-hollywood-the-complete-breakdown/>.
> > > >
Film noir, bérets, and the city of lights – What other aesthetic details make up the "film capital of the world"? Next, go on to explore the wonder and intrigue of French cinema. |