Indian cinema as a reflection of Indian society

Indian cinema meets Hollywoodhttp://entertainment.indianetzone.com/films/1/bollywood_vs_hollywood.html


Cinema of each era = a reflection of society.Early bollywood films portrayed concepts that were purely Indian at heart.
During the times of freedom struggle, cinema was used as a medium to show anger and voice the opinion of nationalist leaders and parties demanding independence from the British rule. Then, the Indian cinema focused on mythological stories and great epics eg. Phalke's pioneering 'Raja Harishchandra.'
cinema portrayed a society that was both desired and achievable. Bollywood of that time showed the India which was both rural and traditionally rich and vibrant.
The traditional values and cultural celebrations formed the basis of the conservative Indian cinema of that time.
Films showcased relationships,cutoms, norms and ethics of our culture eg. a young desi from village who comes to a big cityIndian cinema now portrays the changing face of our society and the cultural mix due to western influence e.g., movies like Murder, Aks, Page 3, Corporate, Monsoon Wedding, Rang De Basanti...

Today, movies dish out what the youth wants and what the youth is inspired from.
Again, the cinema reflects our culture. But, with western influence getting a strong hold on young Indian minds, culture promoted is heavily influenced by western culture and media
One view: Cinema as part of mass media is heavily influential on a nation and should therefore, be used to preserve the cultural heritage of India, in order to prevent the loss of the Indian identity in people- especially the younger generations.
Inspite of the foreign flavour being added to the treatment of a film, movie should not be ethically inappropriate or hamper the sentiments of any Indian.
A movie trying to portray the changing trends of the society should learn to keep a balance with what’s trendy and what’s ours.

Q: But, is everyone in India willing to accept the issues and mind-set portrayed in modern films?
Another view: Even with loopholes in the fusion and blend of the culture, cinema is striving to keep alive the unique indian cinema culture- so films like Kal ho na ho are fine because despite the western influences they still give (the world) a taste of what bollywood is all about i.e the dance, the costumes, the music, the colour...

http://daily-bb.com/bollywood-talk/6905-indian-cinema-promoting-indian-culture/

Posted by Alishba at 15:01 2 comments

'Bollywood conventions are changing, however. A large Indian diaspora in English speaking countries, and increased Western influence at home, have nudged Bollywood films closer to Hollywood models. Film kisses are no longer banned; the once-ubiquitous "wet" scenes, with damp saris molded to an actress's curvaceous form, have been replaced by skin, pure and simple. Plots now tend to feature Westernized urbanites dating and dancing in discos rather than arranged marriages. Plots can be less melodramatic, more sophisticated. Some Indians think that this is "progress"; others miss the masala films of yore.'

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