Indian Films- Through The Ages

Cinema (movie) is an integral part of cultural life of society. It is said that if you want to know the people & society watch the cinema made by it.

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  “ Bollywood” which is coined to ape the term “Hollywood”, which is famous for English movies of America & western world. Bollywood consists of Indian movies mainly made in language ‘Hindi’, the national language of Indian republic. Bollywood is largest producer of movies annually followed by ‘Hollywood’ and Chinese films. With the globalization of world and spread of Indian Diaspora worldwide particularly in Europe, America, & Middle East countries, Bollywood begin to get famous in non Indian sub continent people also. With approximately a billion viewers in India & millions worldwide Bollywood has got wide audience base. Western world people who are fast becoming stereotyped by watching science fiction, action, suspense & raw emotion films are fast catching up with ‘Bollywood’ films to get their full and varied doses of entertainment.

   In pre independence era with no encouragement or support from colonial British rulers Indian film industry did not evolve much. First Indian feature film was made in 1913 named ‘Raja Harishchandra’ by Dada Saheb Phalke which was a mute picture. First talking film was ‘Alam Ara’ made in 1931.After India got independence in 1947 the film industry got support from government and people and evolved. With continuous improvement of technology in photography, sound and film making Indian films became visually pleasing & entertaining.

    In 50’s & 60’s decades, eminent director/actor Raj kapoor, Bimal Roy, Guru Dutt etc.made remarkable movies. Actor ‘Raj Kapoor made ‘Awara’ Sri 420’ which was worldwide famous. ‘Satyajit Ray’ who won Oscar for film ‘Pather Pancheli’ was a great director who brought Indian film to world stage. ‘Yas chopra’, hrishikesh Mukherjee etc Indian directors made remarkable movies in 80’s and 90’s. Indian film industry was influenced by western world movies, and got benefited by technological improvement.

  Great Indian actors who made lasting imprint in Indian movies were/are Prithvi Raj kapoor, superstar Amitabh Bachchan, lover boy Rajesh khanna, Sashi kapoor, Govinda, Salman khan & Shahrukh Khan. Prominent Indian lady actors are Nargis, Madhubala, Sri Devi, Madhuri Dixit & Kajol etc.

   In the film of 60’s & 80’s family & social value got prominence in Indian cinema since Indian were living peaceful lives. In 80’s and 90’s “angry man” hero evolve because of “License Raj” (authoritarian state), and corruption. After the opening of Indian Economy in 1991 & consequent globalization it has its far reaching effect on Indian films. Family values took a back seat & excessive violence, sex, vulgarity became the norms to make the film hit. Content and Quality wise there was loss in film Industry because the neo rich Indian people have became more voyeuristic, and impatient.

   Song & dance are the essential & unique part of Bollywood movies. World audience finds it’s very charming to see ‘Actors and actress roaming around trees, singing and dancing. Most Indian people watch films to escape reality of their daily hard struggle for livelihood. So, commercial cinemas with the doses of comedy, sex and violence have become favorite part of Indian films. Now a day good filmmakers don’t get the audience, so it is vanishing. But still Indian films industry is thriving and it will continue to do so because it is cheapest source of entertainment. With Satellite and cable TV it has made inroad into the Indian House at very affordable cost. Cinemas are part & parcel of Indian life and will remain so.