Bollywood

Romance

Christine Joung

“Bollywood”

Originated in 1900s

Bombay (former name for Mumbai) + Hollywood

An informal term popularly used for the Hindi-language film industry

based in Mumbai, India

One of the largest film producers in India and one of the largest centers of

film production in the world

1200 films produced annually (Hollywood: 500)

Style

Incorporation of musical & Dancing

Songs:- Usually 5-6 songs in the movie

- Sing about the man’s love towards the girl

- Sing about the girl’s innocence and her physical beauty

- Contrast in male and female’s singing voice

(Boys have manly and deep voice, girls have high-pitched and child-like voice)

(Girl’s voice has changed to be more realistic in modern films)

Dances:- All characters in the scene dance together

Style

Clothes: - Modern films incorporate “western” clothing in order to depict the modern indian woman, however,

traditional clothing is always shown to be most attractive.

- Ex) Housefull 2: female characters are in bikinis and shorts throughout the movie. Towards the end,

they are wearing traditional sarees and lehengas, which makes their grooms awe at them.

Theme

Outer: Romance (Relationship between a boy and a girl)

Inner: Importance of Family and society

Characterization

Boy:- Usually falls in love first

- persistent for the girl

Girl:- Difficult to get

- Innocent and shy (Adds femininity)

Parents:- Responsible for marriage approval (Encourage Arranged marriage)

- Very firm at first

Motif

“Family is most important”

Conflicts arise with the relationship

(Social Issues, Cultural/Religious Issues etc.)

Heroic Figure resolves problem

(Does Not exist in all movies)

Examples

Devdas (1971): - Conflict due to different historical backgrounds

- Main character rather goes into state of depression than disobey his parents

Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham (2001):- Conflict due to different social status

- Brother unites the family Heroic figure

- Once the family is united, “All is well”

- Introduced quote: “Its all about loving your parents.”

Examples

Veer Zaara (2005):- Forbidden love between an Indian hindu and Pakistani muslim

- Long and hard process of persuading parents

2 States (2014):- Conflict due to Cultural difference (South Indian North Indian)

- Father approves the marriage and persuade the In-laws Heroic Figure

- In the end, two main characters are happy because their parents are happy

Bollywood vs. Hollywood

- Similarity: Both Bollywood and Hollywood films films are about certain conflicts and the

process of solving them

- Differences:

Bollywood Hollywood

Usually aims for domestic audience

Includes cultural/traditional elements

Usually aims for worldwide audience Various

kinds of genre

99% has songs and dances in the movie Characters rarely sing and dance (Except in

musicals)

Mostly appeals to sentimental side of human

nature

very dramatic

Mostly appeals to adventurous human spirit

Focus on the thrill

Relatively Simple storyline Relatively complex storyline

Bollywood vs. Hollywood

Hollywood’s influence on Bollywood:- Musicals during the period of ‘Classical Hollywood Cinema’ (1927~1963) have been inspirations

- Broadway culture of Hollywood moulded Bollywood dances

- “sexy” girl figures are emerging in Bollywood

Bollywood’s influence on Hollywood:- Setting new trends by using unique costumes in the film

- Bollywood-style music is used in certain movies

- Ex) Moulin Rouge

Thank You