•History of Indian CinemaHistory of Indian Cinema

•What Bollywood IsWhat Bollywood Is

•How Music Influences Indian FilmsHow Music Influences Indian Films

What we will be discussing…What we will be discussing…

Bollywood Bollywood MoviesMovies

By: Suraj TandonBy: Suraj Tandon

History History The Beginning: The Silent Movie EraThe Beginning: The Silent Movie Era

•Cinema came to India on July 7, 1896 - Cinema came to India on July 7, 1896 - Lumiere Brothers' Cinematograph films in Lumiere Brothers' Cinematograph films in Bombay. Bombay.

•In 1899, Harishchandra Sakharam In 1899, Harishchandra Sakharam Bhatavdekar - two short films Bhatavdekar - two short films ““The WrestlersThe Wrestlers”” and, and, ““Man and MonkeyMan and Monkey”.”.

•First entirely Indian-made film, First entirely Indian-made film, ““Raja Raja HarischandraHarischandra””,, ((Considered “Father of Indian Cinema”Considered “Father of Indian Cinema”))

(produced and directed by D. G. Phalke) -(produced and directed by D. G. Phalke) -released on released on May 3rd, 1913May 3rd, 1913. .

First Feature FilmFirst Feature Film “ “Raja HarishchandraRaja Harishchandra”” -1913 -1913

The Era of Talking Movies (1930 -1940)The Era of Talking Movies (1930 -1940)

• India's first talkie India's first talkie ““Alam AraAlam Ara”” (Light of the world) Used a (Light of the world) Used a single sound system. Sound and image recorded as single sound system. Sound and image recorded as one.one.

• Was released on March 14th, 1931.Was released on March 14th, 1931.

• Produced by Produced by

Ardeshir Irani. Through Ardeshir Irani. Through

Imperial Film Co.Imperial Film Co.

• Majority of India’s population during the late Majority of India’s population during the late 1890s was illiterate.1890s was illiterate.

• Film industry exploded in India becauseFilm industry exploded in India becausemovies were a means in which the citizens ofmovies were a means in which the citizens ofIndia could entertain themselves. India could entertain themselves.

• Movies produced within the 1930s – 1940s Movies produced within the 1930s – 1940s contained many songs and dances.contained many songs and dances.

•As the talkies emerged, so did issues As the talkies emerged, so did issues related to language of the film emerge. related to language of the film emerge. The various regional languages in India The various regional languages in India led film makers to produce films in both led film makers to produce films in both the regional language (Bengali, the regional language (Bengali, Marathi), and in Hindi, in order to cater Marathi), and in Hindi, in order to cater to the larger Hindi-speaking market. to the larger Hindi-speaking market.

•The films of this era were mostly The films of this era were mostly musicals and some of them had up to musicals and some of them had up to 40 songs. 40 songs.

•Three big filmmaking institutions, Three big filmmaking institutions, Madan Theatres, Krishna Film Co., and Madan Theatres, Krishna Film Co., and Imperial Film Co.Imperial Film Co.

•The films in the 30's were more The films in the 30's were more modernistic in their outlook.modernistic in their outlook.

•One of the most prominent films of this One of the most prominent films of this period is Pramathesh Barua's: period is Pramathesh Barua's: Devdas’Devdas’(1935). (1935).

•Playback singing was introduced to Playback singing was introduced to Indian cinema by Nitin Bose in 1935, Indian cinema by Nitin Bose in 1935, with the Hindi film with the Hindi film Dhoop Chaon Dhoop Chaon (sunlight and shade)(sunlight and shade)..

•Double sound system = where sound Double sound system = where sound and image were recorded separately. and image were recorded separately. Allowed for easy editing afterwards. Allowed for easy editing afterwards.

SIGNIFICANT FILMSSIGNIFICANT FILMS 1931 Alam Ara c. Ard. Irani 1931 Alam Ara c. Ard. Irani (first Indian talking film)(first Indian talking film)1931 Shirin Farhad 1931 Shirin Farhad (sound and Image recorded (sound and Image recorded separately)separately)1931 Jamai Babu c. D.R. Bardkar (Images of Urban 1931 Jamai Babu c. D.R. Bardkar (Images of Urban Calcutta)Calcutta)1932 Noorjaban c. Adr. Irani 1932 Noorjaban c. Adr. Irani (India’s first talkie in (India’s first talkie in English)English)1932 Indraprastha c. T. Marconi (song & dance 1932 Indraprastha c. T. Marconi (song & dance spectacular) spectacular) 1934 Karam c.1934 Karam c.1935 Devdas c. Yusuf Muljee, 1935 Devdas c. Yusuf Muljee, Bimal Roy, Sudhin Majumdar & Dilip GuptaBimal Roy, Sudhin Majumdar & Dilip Gupta1936 Bangalee c. Bibhuti Das1936 Bangalee c. Bibhuti Das1936 Sant Tukaram c. V. Avadhoot1936 Sant Tukaram c. V. Avadhoot1937 Mukti c. Bimal Roy (Tracks, Mix 1937 Mukti c. Bimal Roy (Tracks, Mix of Interior & Exterior, Expressionism & Realism)of Interior & Exterior, Expressionism & Realism)1938 Duniya na Mane c. Avadhoot1938 Duniya na Mane c. Avadhoot

  

    

Pramathesh Barua's 'Devdas' (1935)Pramathesh Barua's 'Devdas' (1935)

OriginalOriginal

Dilip Kumar in Bimal Roy's 'Dilip Kumar in Bimal Roy's 'DevdasDevdas'' (1955)(1955)

Sharukh Khan & Madhuri Dixit in Sanjay Leela Sharukh Khan & Madhuri Dixit in Sanjay Leela Bansali's Bansali's ''DevdasDevdas'' (2002) (2002)

1951 – 19601951 – 1960

•There was an active support for There was an active support for "parallel cinema" which talked about "parallel cinema" which talked about social issues, problems and values of the social issues, problems and values of the society.society.

•The Film and Television Institute of The Film and Television Institute of India was established at Pune in 1959India was established at Pune in 1959

•1950’s and 1960’s regarded 1950’s and 1960’s regarded ""Golden Golden AgeAge"" of Indian cinema in terms of films, of Indian cinema in terms of films, stars, music and lyrics. stars, music and lyrics.

1961 – 19801961 – 1980

•In the 70s, gap between multi-starrer, In the 70s, gap between multi-starrer, big budget films increased. Mostly big budget films increased. Mostly action oriented with revenge as their action oriented with revenge as their dominating theme. dominating theme.

•Rise of India's greatest superstar, Rise of India's greatest superstar, Amitabh Bachchan (Amitabh Bachchan (SholaySholay//FlamesFlames 1975). 1975).

1981 – 1990, Even to present time1981 – 1990, Even to present time

•Revival of the musical love stories in Revival of the musical love stories in Indian cinema. Indian cinema.

What is What is BollywoodBollywood??

•BollywoodBollywood is the informal name given to is the informal name given to the popular the popular Mumbai-based -based film industry in in India. Created by blending . Created by blending BombayBombay (the city (the city now officially called now officially called Mumbai) and ) and Hollywood, , the famous center of the the famous center of the United States film film industry.industry.

•It is commonly referred to as "It is commonly referred to as "Hindi cinemacinema“. “. Majority of films produced by Bollywood Majority of films produced by Bollywood are in Hindi dialectare in Hindi dialect

•They are usually musicals. They are usually musicals. Very rare to see Very rare to see an Indian movie without song and dance. Half of movie an Indian movie without song and dance. Half of movie is usually musical other half contains dialogue.is usually musical other half contains dialogue.

•Consist of many songs and dances – Consist of many songs and dances – approximately approximately 5-65-6 songs/dances per movie. songs/dances per movie. Songs are also 5-10 minutes in length.Songs are also 5-10 minutes in length.

•In 2002 more than In 2002 more than 12001200 films were films were produced.produced.On average Bollywood produces more than 1000 films a On average Bollywood produces more than 1000 films a year.year.

•Include many plots: love triangles, Include many plots: love triangles, comedy, comedy, and dare-devil thrills -- all are mixed up in a and dare-devil thrills -- all are mixed up in a three hour long extravaganza. three hour long extravaganza.

•Movie soundtracks are released Movie soundtracks are released sometimes sometimes even before the movie is released. even before the movie is released.

•Why musicals? Why musicals? See next slideSee next slide

•Songs and dances in Songs and dances in popular Indian cinema popular Indian cinema are used as natural are used as natural expressions of expressions of everyday emotions everyday emotions and situations.and situations.

•Indian cinema does not require that itsIndian cinema does not require that itsperformers act, dance, and sing – they performers act, dance, and sing – they must merely act and dance. must merely act and dance.

Why musicals? Why musicals? Cont’dCont’d

•Has always been associated with Indian culture. Has always been associated with Indian culture.

•Dates back to ancient India during introduction of Sanskrit (first Dates back to ancient India during introduction of Sanskrit (first language of India). language of India).

•Song and dance have been and are still associated with many religions Song and dance have been and are still associated with many religions (eg. Hindu religion). (Two clips played from (eg. Hindu religion). (Two clips played from ““LaaganLaagan”/Tax)”/Tax)

•Dramas or plays performed by religious members of such faith Dramas or plays performed by religious members of such faith contained song, music, and dance.contained song, music, and dance.

•People would sing and dance in praise or hope of rain to replenish People would sing and dance in praise or hope of rain to replenish crops. crops.

•Also associated with Punjabi culture. Also associated with Punjabi culture.

•Two types of song and dance originating out of Punjab are Two types of song and dance originating out of Punjab are Bhangra Bhangra and and GiddhaGiddha. (Clip played from . (Clip played from ““Asa Nu Maan Watna DaAsa Nu Maan Watna Da”/We are proud of our ”/We are proud of our country).country).

•Were performed hundreds of years ago and are still performed today Were performed hundreds of years ago and are still performed today in hope and celebration of a good harvest of crops.in hope and celebration of a good harvest of crops.

•Songs are sung by professional Songs are sung by professional play-back singers that are pre-recorded play-back singers that are pre-recorded and lip-sung by dancing actors and and lip-sung by dancing actors and actresses.actresses.

•Playback singers are featured in the Playback singers are featured in the opening creditsopening credits..

•Song lyrics are usually about love. Song lyrics are usually about love. Kissing is rarely seen within Indian films. Considered a Kissing is rarely seen within Indian films. Considered a tabootaboo within Indian culture, not only within films but in within Indian culture, not only within films but in public places. Song lyrics and musical underscore within public places. Song lyrics and musical underscore within film allow for such sexual and physical display to be film allow for such sexual and physical display to be expressed without actually having to perform it on expressed without actually having to perform it on screen. (Clip played from screen. (Clip played from ““Hum Dil De Chuke SanamHum Dil De Chuke Sanam”/I have ”/I have already given my heart)already given my heart)

•Each movie has it’s own theme song.Each movie has it’s own theme song.

•Dialogue and song lyrics are often in Dialogue and song lyrics are often in Hindustani vocabulary; blend of Hindi Hindustani vocabulary; blend of Hindi and pure Urdu. and pure Urdu.

•Many elegant and poetic Arabic and Many elegant and poetic Arabic and Persian loan-words.Persian loan-words.

•Renown male playback singers: K. L. Renown male playback singers: K. L. Saigal, Kishore Kumar, Mohammed Rafi, Saigal, Kishore Kumar, Mohammed Rafi, Mukesh, and Manna Dey.Mukesh, and Manna Dey.

•Renown female playback singers: Lata Renown female playback singers: Lata Mangeshkar and her sister Asha Mangeshkar and her sister Asha Bhosle.Bhosle.

•Lata made the Guinness World Lata made the Guinness World Records for singing most songs = Records for singing most songs = Thirty-thousandThirty-thousand

•Music often borrowed from not only Music often borrowed from not only Indian Indian classical, folk, and devotional music, but also classical, folk, and devotional music, but also from Japanese music (as in the film "Love in from Japanese music (as in the film "Love in Tokyo"), Persian music, and from Western Tokyo"), Persian music, and from Western music.music.

•Film music is often set to large, Western-Film music is often set to large, Western-style orchestras.style orchestras. Musical underscore for film is Musical underscore for film is created in the same manner as Western or European created in the same manner as Western or European films.films.

•Instrumentalists do not get film credits.Instrumentalists do not get film credits.

•Instruments used to produce underscore: Instruments used to produce underscore: bansuri, dhol, harmonium, sitar, tabla, bansuri, dhol, harmonium, sitar, tabla, violin, grand piano etc.violin, grand piano etc.

TablaTablaSitarSitar

HarmoniumHarmonium DholDhol

BansuriBansuri

BOLLYWOODBOLLYWOOD VS. VS. HOLLYWOODHOLLYWOOD1,013 1,013 FILMS PRODUCEDFILMS PRODUCED** 739 739

3.6 bil. 3.6 bil. TICKETS SOLDTICKETS SOLD 2.6 bil. 2.6 bil.

$1.3 bil. $1.3 bil. WORLDWIDE REVENUESWORLDWIDE REVENUES**** $51 bil. $51 bil.

12.6% 12.6% ANNUAL GROWTH RATEANNUAL GROWTH RATE 5.6% 5.6%

$1.5 mil $1.5 mil AVG. PRODUCTION COST PER FILMAVG. PRODUCTION COST PER FILM $47.7 mil. $47.7 mil.

$500,000 $500,000 AVG. MARKETING COST PER FILMAVG. MARKETING COST PER FILM $27.3 mil. $27.3 mil.

• Greater number of tickets sold by Bollywood Greater number of tickets sold by Bollywood is explained by India’s population being far is explained by India’s population being far greater than U.S.A’s greater than U.S.A’s

• Smaller revenue generated by the Smaller revenue generated by the Bollywood industry in comparison to theBollywood industry in comparison to theHollywood industry is a result of excessive Hollywood industry is a result of excessive piracy of Indian films. piracy of Indian films.

• Low production and marketing costs of Low production and marketing costs of Bollywood films is a result or lack of Bollywood films is a result or lack of government funding and economic turmoil government funding and economic turmoil within India.within India.

FinancesFinances•Indian government is not an active Indian government is not an active supporter of lending out money to film supporter of lending out money to film companies.companies.

•Indian banks were often forbidden to Indian banks were often forbidden to lend out money to film companies. lend out money to film companies.

•Film companies receive financial Film companies receive financial support from private organizations.support from private organizations.

•Support is still very modest compared Support is still very modest compared to Hollywood standards.to Hollywood standards.

Highest paid Bollywood Highest paid Bollywood actress: Aishwarya Rai – actress: Aishwarya Rai – 25 Million Rs. (Rupees) = 25 Million Rs. (Rupees) = $625,000 Cdn. year.$625,000 Cdn. year.

Highest paid Bollywood actor: Highest paid Bollywood actor: Amitabh BachchanAmitabh Bachchan

•Most expensive movie ever made – Most expensive movie ever made – Devdas(Devdas(20022002))

•Highest grossing film – Highest grossing film – SholaySholay

ContactContact For more information:For more information:

Suraj TandonSuraj Tandon B.Sc.(Hons) B.Sc.(Hons) tandons@mcmaster.catandons@mcmaster.ca