I suppose it all started with "Lagaan." Just one crazy night, staying up into the wee hours of the morning, crying, laughing, cheering, yelling... and I was hooked!
What is it about Bollywood movies that makes them so intriguing and - dare I say - addicting? A Brief History of Bollywood is helpful, though all one really needs to know is that Bollywood is a term applied to Indian cinema.
Bollywood Characteristics Appealing to (Some) Americans:
1. *Clean* Romance
Almost every Bollywood film has an element of romance, and most of these include love triangles, arranged marriages, unrequited love, etc. Granted, some of it gets sappy, but because of traditional Indian culture, there is usually no explicit sexual material. Although modern Bollywood may include risqué material, anything before the early 2000's doesn't even include kissing. ***note: Some Americans may object to the different view of modest dress; dance numbers often include bare backs/midriffs.***
2. Melodrama
If you think that Downton Abbey is too dramatic, try watching a Bollywood film! It's FULL of drama: family feuds, forbidden love, political tension, lovers' secrets... the list goes on. Thankfully, many films don't take themselves too seriously, which is half the fun.
3. Family Values
As is the case in many other countries, family is a much higher priority in India than in America, which is evident in the films. Parents and elders are more often than not respected, and young adults and adolescents are expected to value their family members, even extended family.
4. Religious Values
Though it may be a bit shocking to American audiences at first, Indian movies often contain a lot of religious material... and not the satirical take on those pesky Christians that we often see in our own media. Many movies' plots actually focus on religious themes and their complexities. A beautiful example of this is found in "Jodhaa Akbar."
5. Silliness
Exhibit One
Exhibit Two
6. Song and Dance Numbers
This is probably my favorite part of Bollywood films. The dancing, the singing, the randomness.... so good. Ye Ladki Haye Allah is probably my favorite.
7. Criticisms
Some people are critical of Bollywood because it doesn't portray Indian life acurately. While I agree that Indian life is much more likely to look like this:
the point is that it's not meant to be taken accurately most of the time. Since life in India is often hard and impoverished, films are a form of escape from reality. Thus, the entertainment is not the equivalent of a documentary for Americans. If we should expect Indian films to accurately portray the harshness of the average Indian life, shouldn't they expect the same from us? Pretty sure that would mean that this:
What is it about Bollywood movies that makes them so intriguing and - dare I say - addicting? A Brief History of Bollywood is helpful, though all one really needs to know is that Bollywood is a term applied to Indian cinema.
Bollywood Characteristics Appealing to (Some) Americans:
1. *Clean* Romance
2. Melodrama
If you think that Downton Abbey is too dramatic, try watching a Bollywood film! It's FULL of drama: family feuds, forbidden love, political tension, lovers' secrets... the list goes on. Thankfully, many films don't take themselves too seriously, which is half the fun.
3. Family Values
As is the case in many other countries, family is a much higher priority in India than in America, which is evident in the films. Parents and elders are more often than not respected, and young adults and adolescents are expected to value their family members, even extended family.
4. Religious Values
5. Silliness
Exhibit One
Exhibit Two
6. Song and Dance Numbers
This is probably my favorite part of Bollywood films. The dancing, the singing, the randomness.... so good. Ye Ladki Haye Allah is probably my favorite.
7. Criticisms
Some people are critical of Bollywood because it doesn't portray Indian life acurately. While I agree that Indian life is much more likely to look like this:
rather than this:
and this:
are accurate portrayals of American life. Pretty sure that's not the case most of the time!
8. Last Plug
If you still have no desire to watch Bollywood, at least try this one:
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