Chapter 1

Introducing Bollywood

IN THIS CHAPTER

Understanding what Bollywood is

Examining where Bollywood came from

Getting down with Bollywood music and dance

Seeing Bollywood worldwide

As Bollywood stars begin to make waves outside India and bring the rich tradition of Indian filmmaking to other parts of the world, it has become impossible to not hear about Bollywood or see its influence worldwide. Though Bollywood is often characterized as an industry filled with musicals, corny dialogue, and over-the-top action scenes, it's so much more.

From its humble beginnings depicting the everyday struggles of Indian citizens after Partition to newer films that comment on polarizing subject matter, Bollywood has undergone a journey through time. Bollywood's true charm is the people that made it famous and continue to drive it forward today. From legendary directors, to homegrown actors, to modern-day media darlings, Bollywood has provided the world with a never-ending case of lovable characters. This chapter serves as your jumping off point into the world of Bollywood. Dive right in.

Addressing What Bollywood Is

Bollywood itself is a gigantic film industry that churns out hundreds of movies every year. The term "Bollywood" typically refers to movies made in Bombay (now Mumbai) studios, in the Hindi language. Figure 1-1 is a wall mural of a Bollywood film at one of their studios, evoking a similar feeling fans feel seeing movie posters as they drive past movie studios in Hollywood.

imageBROKER /Alamy Stock Photo

FIGURE 1-1: Bollywood wall painting outside a film studio in Mumbai.

Other film industries within India create movies in other languages (which we discuss more in Chapters 17), and although they're often remade or dubbed into Hindi films for Bollywood, their individual industries carry distinct and different names. Bollywood movies can be from a number of different genres, but they all carry a familiar formula and have several characteristics shared between the films.

A few of those notable characteristics, which we discuss in Chapter 7, include

• Musical aspect: Nearly every Bollywood movie has at least one song and dance number where the main actors will cut away into a dream sequence and mesmerize the audience with a song. Some actors and actresses gain notoriety for their ability to dance, whereas the playback singers for the songs (the singers whose singing is pre-recorded and featured in Bollywood films) also grow famous for their vocal contributions. Though musicals are a bit less numerous in film industries around the world, the art of mixing storytelling with musical interludes is a defining aspect of Bollywood as an industry.
• Romance: Regardless of the overarching theme of the movie, the gravity of its subject matter, or even the film's genre, Bollywood filmmakers nearly always find a way to include a romantic story arc within the plot of the film. As audiences continue to consume the romantic journeys with elated expectation, the filmmakers have no reason to stop. If you love a good love story, chances are you're going to love most Bollywood movies.
• Runtime: A more dubious characteristic of Bollywood films is their runtime. Whereas many Western movies release their audiences after 1½ or 2 hours, Bollywood movies take great pride in enrapturing their audiences for several hours, sometimes as long as 4! Noting the lengthy time commitment that comes with any Bollywood movie, most Bollywood films also come with an intermission in the middle of the movie. Traditionally, when movies premier in theaters in India, the intermission of the movie allows moviegoers to stretch their legs, go to the bathroom, and buy snacks.
• Fashion: Costume design is rarely an oversight in Bollywood films, often becoming the highlight of a movie. Whether the movie is a period piece that requires ornate, period dress, or a modern story set in the Western world, Bollywood movies don't hold back in decorating their characters in some of the trendiest and eye-catching of fashion. Moviegoers pay close attention to the dress of their favorite actors and actresses, and most Bollywood artists end up as international fashion icons as a result.

Identifying the Families of Bollywood

Bollywood movies share more than just similar characteristics between different films. A few legendary family have dominated Bollywood for nearly its entire history. Some of these families stick purely to acting, whereas others include directors, producers, and singers, occupying every part of the industry. Here are some of the most famous families you'll come across in your journey through Bollywood (we delve deeper into them in Chapter 2):

• Kapoors: Spanning three generations, no family has had more influence on every aspect of Bollywood than the Kapoors. From some of the most iconic actors and actresses to a history of storied directors and producers, the Kapoors dominate the Bollywood scene. The Kapoor family is Indian royalty and truly a force to be reckoned with in the Bollywood industry.
• Bachchans: Made particularly famous by the man who originally held the surname, Amitabh Bachchan, the Bachchan family continues to grow as it enters its third generation. Both Amitabh and his son, Abhishek, married revered actresses in their day, extending their influence across the industry and cementing their family as Bollywood royalty.
• Johars: Known less for acting and more for the movies they have produced and directed over the years, the Johar family is often credited with some of the consensus best Bollywood films of all time. Family patriarch Yash Johar led the way and established the family name within the industry, and his son Karan Johar proudly carries the torch now.
• Bhatts: A multitalented family, the Bhatts have contributed daring directors and incredible actors to the Bollywood industry. Today, this family is one of the most respected within the industry for its continuing contributions to the art of storytelling within Bollywood.
• Mukherjees: A family that appeared in what seemed like every movie of the 1990s and early 2000s, the Mukherjees have carved their own name within the ranks of Bollywood. With esteemed actresses like Kajol and Rani Mukerji hailing from the renowned family, no doubt the Mukherjees are revered across Bollywood.

Looking at Bollywood's Evolution

Over the years, Bollywood has changed dramatically. Although each movie stays in line with the general characteristics we mention in the section, "Addressing What Bollywood Is," earlier in this chapter, each era of Bollywood had its own distinct feel, subject matters, and stylization. Comparing a movie from the 1960s to today would showcase the varying ways that Bollywood has progressed, while also exhibiting the characteristics that unite all Bollywood films together under one genre. Each era also brought with it a new parade of stars, bringing their singular talents to the screen in ways no one before them ever had. Here is a quick rundown of the different eras in Bollywood.

Focusing on the 1940s to the 1960s

The early years of Bollywood were a representation of the tumult that India was undergoing at the time. Freshly independent, India struggled to gain its footing in the early years after gaining its freedom from Great Britain and reeling from a bloody split with Pakistan. Many of the early films characterized the struggles of everyday people in India, connecting with the everyday man and woman.

This era of Bollywood film from the 1940s to the 1960s is often referred to as the Golden Era, because some of the most important and influential Indian movies were made during this time. At this time Bollywood was a direct reflection of its viewers and dealt with difficult socioeconomic conditions and class stratification in India in many of its films. However, as India began to lift itself out of the shambles that Partition had caused, the film industry also took a turn for the positive.

The latter part of this era saw the introduction of romantic-themed movies that changed Bollywood cinema forever. In particular, a more whimsical, joyous cinema characterized movies in the 1960s. Iconic actors and actresses during this time period gave weight to the characters they played on screen and helped give birth to what would become the largest movie industry in the world. To see how they did it, flip to Chapter 3.

Eyeing the 1970s and 1980s

By the late 1960s, Bollywood moviegoers were craving a bit of variety in their viewing experience. Enter the complicated and endlessly entertaining genre of action and crime movies. Using the rising underworld in India as a plot device, filmmakers re-invigorated audiences with complex plots, epic villains, and a whole new batch of actors.

One of these actors, Amitabh Bachchan, went on to define this era of Bollywood. Using his angry young man trope, Bachchan took over the Bollywood industry in the '70s and '80s and revolutionized the types of movies that Bollywood fans wanted to see. With intricate plots spanning generations, locales, and themes, he won the heart of a nation and helped to bring Bollywood to new heights. Chapter 4 discusses Bachchan and his rise to fame.

The complexity of movies also...