Bollywood is celebrating 100 years since the first all-Indian feature film, "Raja Harishchandra", appeared on a cinema screen in Mumbai. It spawned a nation of movie-mad Indians and a vibrant film industry, known for its musical hits and romantic escapism. But some fear modern cinema has become shallow and formulaic.
Watch the video and answer the questions below. Decide if the statements are True or False.
1. India sells about three million cinema tickets a year.
a. True
b. False
2. Hindi is the main language used in Bollywood.
a. True
b. False
3. The women, in the old black and white films, were performed by men.
a. True
b. False
For transcript and answers see below.
Transcript & Answers
Bollywood is turning 100 years old, and what better way to celebrate than with a catchy song and dance. India produces more than a thousand films and sells more than three billion cinema tickets each year. The industry is flourishing with revenues quickly growing, led by Hindi-language Bollywood.
"Basically I think Hindi films are part of our lives since we're born. The songs play at our birthday parties, they play at our weddings, they play, you know, at our parties. So they kind of permeate and punctuate our lives."
Music may be crucial to films today, but it started with this. The silent, black-and-white tale of a virtuous king from Hindu mythology. Women acting was, in those days, widely frowned upon so the characters here are in fact men in drag. It couldn't be more different from modern Bollywood's romantic escapism which some fear has become too superficial.
"I would say the search is still for that Indian narrative. And the filmmakers of India have not done justice, as we progress, to India, by capturing the complex issues, and do stories and that's what storytellers essentially have to do."
A new crop of experimental filmmakers is emerging. They include directors who made this film "Bombay Talkies" to mark the centenary - a collection of short films celebrating India's love of cinema. Directors are trying out new themes and genres - even India's first zombie movies are coming up.
"The changes have already started and I think it's just going to get bigger. This is a ripple right now; it's going to become a wave. Because if films, if new filmmakers start to make, attempt new themes, and if they work, and the audience appreciate it, the producers will start to back more."
As it enters a second century, it seems traditional Bollywood may no longer be enough to keep modern India satisfied.
Answers:
1. b
2. a
3. a
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