Bollywood (Hindi: बॉलीवूड) is the informal term popularly used for the Mumbai-based Hindi-language film industry (Hindi cinema) in India. The term is often incorrectly used to refer to the whole of Indian cinema; it is only a part of the Indian film industry. Bollywood is the largest film producer in India and one of the largest in the world.
What can we learn from the most extravagant, larger than life, cultural and a riot of colors kind, superbly expensive and bling bonanza that we lovingly call Bollywood?
What irritates us about this "field" or rather what entices us into it?
Are we drawn to this miraculous place that produces "demi-gods" in the form of King Khan or Queen Bee that is the pretty-face-no-personality Mrs Rai-Bachchan or are we repulsed by it? An eternal question plagues this creator and destroyer of dreams.
The larger than life, happy, colorful love stories are certainly misleading. The occasional burst into a song even during extremely tense moments is certainly strange. I mean, try imagining a very tense moment in your life, like maybe when you are fighting with your mother or husband or someone, and in the background a fast paced, increasing momentum songs pumps up. You would probably die of surprise and you'll be caught in a dilemma, "Would dancing now be inappropriate?".
I am fascinated, yet repulsed by this monster. It seems that this make-believe world, does exist on another planet. In the words of the All-Knowing Wiki Uncle, "However, unlike Hollywood, Bollywood does not exist as a real physical place."
I beg to differ, Bollywood physically exists, in ANOTHER galaxy. Only recently has it begun to pick up themes that are remotely close to the average Indian. It is a bubble that never pops. Unaffected by the economic slowdown, terrorist attacks, political trouble etc etc.
I am amazed. All the glitter, the no-way-isolated happy endings, the always-happy love story. There's something that is just beautifully impressive about it, it gives you hope. And hope is important. Its rare. There are so many flaws in B-Wood, so many mistakes you could point out in a single 70 mm shot, but there's just the feel good thing about it.
It makes you wish, makes you want to claim your nonexistent happy ending. After the end of a particularly sobby love story, I think back to mine and wonder what went wrong and just for that moment after the credits roll, I can feel the emotions welling up. And as I walk back to the car, sit down, criticize the obvious drama, I feel lighter. I think with shame, "I am a hypocritical cynic." And then, I forget about it.
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