Established 108 years ago the Indian film industry is the
largest in the
world , larger even than Hollywood, having made a
whopping
32,000 films in just over
70 years and employing 2.5
million people !
Bollywood is the nickname given to this multi million dollar Hindi
film industry . It has its capital in Mumbai but
Chennai and
Hyderabad are also at the cutting edge of the Indian film industry.
However, much of the filming is done outside of India. If those
mountains ranges look rather alpine then that is probably
because much filming takes place in Switzerland.
Bollywood, as the nickname suggest is a fun and funky, fast and furious film industry and it will
take you on a roller coaster ride! Hold onto your popcorn and prepare to be bemused! The
mainstream films, called masala (
mixed spice) by the locals are a dizzying mix of song,
shimmining dance, courtly romance, melodrama and fantasy. Often based on Hollywood films,
such as the hit Kaante, which unusually stared no heroine and had six male leads, it is apparently
based on Reservoir Dogs or laced with lessons in dharma, any trip to India should include a stop
at the cinema. Whatever you do see in Bollywood films, whether it is violence or dancing don't expect to see
much if any kissing or nudity. Bollywood films are very much censored and the established
actresses will not agree to a kissing scene. Those that have done have been reproached harshly
by critics. Do expect a lot of hip thrashing in the dances though!
There are 13,000 cinemas in India, many of which are touring
cinemas which go from village to town so that everyone can get
to see their favorite actors in action. For the poor these films are
a really cheap way to be entertained and are often pure fantasy
and so offer an escape from reality for at least 3 hours!
Recently, Bollywood has experienced increased popularity in the
West with Hollywood using some of its distinctive style in movies
such as
'The Guru' and more recently
"Bride and Prejudice."
Even the BBC got in on the act with its Bollywood dancer intro as
an alternative to salsa dancers and gymnasts, frequently seen before the news and East enders.