Bollywood 101: Read This Before You Dive Into Bollywood!

Glamour and glitz, fame and fortune, reality and the extreme subversion of it – welcome to your first lesson on Bollywood cinema. While you may have seen Hollywood in all its stardom, the timeless frames of French cinema, or even the poetic narratives from Japan, I can assure you that you will never see something quite as crazy as a Bollywood movie. I’m here to explain a few things to keep in mind before diving in ;)

*Please note, all the images inserted are just humor!

In my opinion, Bollywood is an escapist medium that helps its audience disconnect from whatever reality they’re facing. In the most fantastic way, it gives you the chance to be a part of a world so far from your own through its dramatic storytelling, impromptu dance sequences, and, of course, historic iconography.

I also believe that no matter how universal cinema can become, watching a Bollywood film requires a certain level of understanding of our culture—one that we so easily give to Hollywood because of the globalized world we live in. But that's a topic for another article.

So let's start with India and the magic behind the scenes. India is a nation deeply rooted in a collectivist culture. It's all about the family and staying together (albeit the inevitable struggles that ensue to make great cinema), rather than focusing on the individual. Even the films that pioneered the theme of rebelling against one's family ultimately conclude with a willingness to embrace change for the sake of family unity. With this, of course, you sense the underlying patriarchy peeking through (in… not-so-subtle ways). It's important to remember that we are living in changing times, so even films from the 2010s still show the man as the head of the house, with most, if not all, decisions being made by him. While this is not something that should be ignored, I am happy to say that current Bollywood cinema is attempting to course-correct.

Now that you know a little about India, I’d also like to issue a word of caution about what you’d call Bollywood cinema. India is a very large country with a lot of people and a LOT of languages. Anyone who has journeyed to India can vouch for the vast differences between the north, south, east, west, and everything in between. So how can it have just one style of cinema? Bollywood is just one of the factions with its own style, primarily based out of Mumbai. As you continue to explore cinema from South Asia, I’m sure you will be able to tell the difference in no time :)

Moving on, let's talk about the films themselves. A nerve in my brain snaps every time someone calls a Bollywood film a musical, and I’m here to tell you that is not the case. While music and dance are embedded into the very soul of the film, this element serves to blend reality with fantasy rather than aid in storytelling, creating an additional layer of emotion. We then come to the overly dramatized acting (not always, but often enough to bring it up). Indian history is rooted in classical dance forms, and one of the ways emotion is communicated is through the eyes. The stories told through classical dances are amplified by the artists communicating through subtle, yet powerful, facial expressions – so it does not surprise Indians to see this translated into our cinema. The bigger the emotion, the bigger the action!

Now – don’t get me wrong. As someone who loves to critique films in the hopes of making them one day, these elements can backfire just as much as they can lead to success. Just like in any cinematic movement, not everything that comes out of India is a masterpiece and has room to improve and grow into something completely different. Whether we like it or not, cinema is malleable and ever-changing!

In all candor, the reason I write this article is to give readers the opportunity to understand a cinematic culture that does not pay heed to reaching global standards but deserves to nonetheless. While I marvel at cinema from various cultures, I find a disconnect when it comes to Indian cinema just because it’s so far from a universal perspective, but it has the ability to create connections and offer a better understanding of who we are and how we think!

So where do we go from here? Well, let’s start with a few films based on what you gravitate towards. Take your pick!

• 12th Fail (2023, 146 mins): A modern introduction to the masses of India.
• Andhadhun (2018, 139 mins): Comedy, crime, and chaos.
• Baajirao Mastani (2015, 158 mins): A glimpse into the grandeur of India circa the 1700s.
• Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham (2001, 210 mins): A romantic epic that breaks barriers of classist notions.

If you are a Bollywood enthusiast, I’d love to know some of the films on your list for anyone who would like to dive into this world. Feel free to comment them below!