Why is bollywood important to india

The most popular song from the film hugely successful in India and the Soviet Union , goes as follows:. The song, lip-synced by Raj Kapoor merrily strolling down the road with a backpack, became a symbol for classic Bollywood; i. Soon, the biggest producers began financing films focused to some extent on the NRI. The air and the ambience were simmering just beneath the Bollywood surface to find concrete shape that would spell a beautiful and happy marriage between Indian values and Western lifestyles of the resident Indian and the Indian diaspora where tradition wins even in the West over running away like the lovers of Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak.

This youthful love story follows Raj, a rich and spoilt British Asian boy who falls in love with Simran, a modern British Indian girl who is still firmly rooted in her traditions, on a tour across Europe. Chopra shows that despite the male protagonist being a NRI, he respects Indian family values and shuns the idea of eloping with the woman he loves. The popular theme of countless romantic films prior to DDLJ had involved the lovers rebelling against their families to be together.

Chopra, in an attempt to add a new twist to this Bollywood formula and NRI characters, created a very westernized hero for whom parental consent is vital for the success of his relationship with the woman he loves. With this reformed portrayal of Bollywood lovers, and NRIs at that, Chopra created a film that was young and universal in its appeal, yet with very traditional roots and values. The film released to unprecedented hype, and became one of the biggest grossing and the longest running films in Indian cinematic history.

As of 13 April , DDLJ entered its th week of continuous run in theatres, a record perhaps unmatched anywhere in the world. Bollywood cinema extends to other areas of cultural products directly linked to the films reinforcing and almost institutionalising the Bollywood culture among the masses in these countries. But they reflect the desires, the hopes, values and traditions.

They are not a real reflection but the dreams of a society. It tells the story of Silk Smitha, a South Indian erotic actress who committed suicide after being ostracized by society. Vidya Balan, who is set to quit making films, says she is disappointed after failing to acquire any demanding roles. We can't expect directors to portray the hard realities of society.

This is not the task of commercial cinema. However, "Dirty Picture" does highlight one new trend in Bollywood cinema. For many years, women tended to have decorative parts. Now there are more films in which strong, successful women play central roles. Only a few films have really depicted real issues in the past few years; for example Vishal Bhardwaj's "Maqbool" , about the mafia in Bombay, or Anurag Kashyap's Black Friday about the Bombay blasts and communal rioting in the city between Hindus and Muslims.

Although it was praised by the critics, it was shown in very few cinemas in India. Some films such as "Salaam-Namaste" , "Taare Zameen Par" A Star on Earth, and "Dostana" Friendship, have managed to combine serious themes, such as dyslexia or homosexuality, with Bollywood's dreamworld. However, such movies remain the exception.

Pakistani singers have made it big in Indian cinema, despite the two countries' political differences. Whether it all comes down to innate musical talent, or pure novelty value, the phenomenon looks set to endure. Indian film actor Shah Rukh Khan says he does not need 'unsolicited advice' from Pakistan on his security after his recent magazine article led to heated verbal exchanges between New Delhi and Islamabad. Visit the new DW website Take a look at the beta version of dw. Go to the new dw.

More info OK. Before she died, she regretted making such films. The human sub-conscious accepts perceptions and opinions without questioning. With high definition content widely available online, India now arrives in the drawing rooms of the Chinese, Germans, Americans, Chileans, Tongans, Kiwis or Koreans with a click, every evening.

There is ever more interest in the issues of India by a global audience. This puts the onus on our film makers to display their adroitness at the art of well-researched film making, despite possessing a political opinion.

And when a protagonist can laugh, cry, love and shake a leg, even while she or he tackles complex problems of poverty, terrorism, corruption or women-safety, the audience goes home entertained. Can Mamata go national? Successful coalitions at the Centre have been usually headed by leaders with weak power bases. Is a green Diwali possible?

Ultra right and wrong: Women in India face a new threat to their freedom of choice. Nehru, Iqbal, cricket and the question of Muslim identity. Hate smug liberals? Interested in blogging for timesofindia. We will be happy to have you on board as a blogger, if you have the knack for writing.

Just drop in a mail at toiblogs timesinternet. Accept Reject. Update Consent. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email. Harsimran Julka Harsimran is a writer with a career spanning over 15 years. The same multiplex is showing another Hindi movie on another screen.

Thorough research and portaying a balanced perspective becomes all the more important.