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Bollywood For Dummies
About This Book
Take the trip of a lifetime into the past and present of Bollywood
Fascinated by the high energy, high emotion, high color, endless dance routines, and sheer scale of Bollywoodâbut afraid you'll never really know your Ghazals from your Qawwalis, or your Khans from your Kapoors? Well, in the immortal line from the Hindi-language blockbuster Sultan, "No one can defeat you unless you accept defeat yourself, " and there's no need to be defeated at all when you can sit back with Bollywood For Dummies and immerse yourself in the glamorous whirl of one of the most exciting movie industries on Earth. Starting with the time-travel adventure of the book's main featureâthe history of the Hindi-speaking industry from people and events of early to mid 20th century Mumbaiâyou'll also journey in space, taking fascinating documentary side trips to get to know Tollywood's Telegu-language cinema in southern India, as well as the growing influence of Lollywood across the border in Pakistan.
Written by the cohosts of Desi Standard Time, a podcast that explores Bollywood and South Asian movies and media, you'll see how the unique cinema culture of Bollywood in particular has become a global phenomenon, reflecting the rise of India as an independent nation and presenting its long historyâand it's exciting and multifaceted presentâin new, influential, and enduring forms. Whatever you paid the price of entry for: the popular Bollywood "Masala" movie style that emphasizes music, comedy, romance, and action; sensitive critiques of a fast-changing society by the Indian Social Realism movement; new forms of music from Indian disco to Sufi boogie; or a look at the lives and talents of the great acting dynastiesâit's all here. And there'll still be plenty more plot twists beyond these to surprise and delight you.
- Get to know the people who built Bollywood
- Discover the main music and dance styles
- Explore and recognize Bollywood's influence on Western cinema
- Go social and join up with the liveliest Bollywood fan communities
You're right to be excited: for newbies a whole new world awaits, and for aficionados, there's always so much more to know. So, sit back with this book, grab some popcorn or a plate of samosasâor why not bothâand prepare to begin an electric feast to sizzle all your senses.
Frequently asked questions
Information
Getting Started with Bollywood
Introducing Bollywood
Addressing What Bollywood Is
- 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 filmâs 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 youâre 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 donât 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
- 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 Bollywoodâs Evolution
Focusing on the 1940s to the 1960s
Table of contents
- Cover
- Title Page
- Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Part 1: Getting Started with Bollywood
- Part 2: Bollywood through the Years
- Part 3: The Sound of (Bollywood) Music
- Part 4: Bollywood Goes Global
- Part 5: From Neighboring Industries to the Diaspora
- Part 6: The Parts of Tens
- Index
- About the Authors
- Connect with Dummies
- End User License Agreement