Bollywood is a blast. It's glamorous, it's sexy, it's fierce and it's the largest film industry in the world. But when thinking about the industry do you know what REALLY bothers me? It's when those people who originate from 'the Des' feign utter disgust at Bollywood (I bet they are closet fans really - I mean how could you not be?). You all know one sour mango in your pack of friends - indeed you may even be one? They emphatically throw their arms up in the air, wrinkle up their noses and shake their heads (all at the same time) and denounce any affiliation or liking of 'those films'.
Bollywood by it's very nature is deemed as 'popular culture' indeed a more common label would be 'mass culture'. Bollywood snubbers quietly but vehemently remind us that 'those films' are aimed at the 'poor' uneducated masses of the Indian Sub-continent. The films are an escapist experience for the poor sods who, after three hours of film, go back to the mundane madness of their misshapen and meagre lives. These snobs believe that we in the west should accept a more diverse palate and leave behind this trash that shamelessly copies Hollywood. Get over it. Bollywood is an industry that appeals to all socio -economic classes to people all over the world.
However, it would be silly to deny that Bollywood films do have a pivotal role in the lives of the 'poor masses' in India. Tejaswani Ganti, a Professor and author of 'Bollywood -a guidebook to popular Hindi Cinema' does note that film makers are well aware that the main criterion for seeing a film "is entertainment which allows them a few hours escape from their harsh lives, and that they are entertained by spectacle, action, slapstick humour, bombastic dialogues, titillation and a fast narrative pace." And these filmmakers deliver all of this -and more.
Middle classes in India and Southall, skip lessons to go and watch remakes of Hollywood movies in their spare time. The content of Bollywood films is often very reflective of the political motivations and cultural practices of India.
Ganti states that cinema: "has played an important role in state discourses about development, nationhood and modernity in post-Independence India..." So in terms of having a 'role' Bollywood cinema does qualify.
Many non-Indians across the world devour Hindi Cinema. They love the vibrancy, the catchy song and dance sequences, the emotional roller coaster of time-tested story plots. Indian Cinema has the fantastic ability to be tongue in cheek about it's own industry. Take the all time Blockbuster by Farah Khan OM SHANTI OM. It's shameless in it's entertainment, it is a film that laughs at it's own creators: the film celebrates song and dance: for goodness sake reincarnation is at the crux of the plot - how deliciously shallow can you get?
I think people find it rather endearing that a young professional mum (yes I do have tabs on myself) can be so knowledgeable about Bollywood. My husband had some friends from India who found the the whole thing hysterical exclaiming: "Oh my god!!" slap, slap on the back.. "Vy do joo lub indian films yaaaaar? It's sooo cute nah?"
Other British Asian couples with children (those from middle class white areas, with middle class jobs and middle class values; who preferred Jungle Music and R&B to Bhangra at Uni) rarely acknowledge you on their frequency, when your son starts singing from the latest releases, or you ask them politely if they watched any 'Indian' stuff. It's almost like you are beneath them? Maybe I have self-esteem issues or am hyper- sensitive (or weird).
I mean B4U and ZEE music are fabulous entertainers -and great to have on in the background when visitors come around. The Simpson's and LOST don't cut the mustard. How bloodyannoying. I know a family (a lovely, wonderful bunch of SUPER intelligent people) that watch The Simpson's when conversation becomes a little stilted. They then proceed to laugh hysterically at some intelligent faux pas that Homer Simpson makes. I suppose it's the latent comedy coupled with political musings about the state of American society that makes them feel that they are watching something truly inspirational. It CANNOT be better than Malika Sherawat swinging seductively to a sensational tune...can it?
NEXT POST - The Educational Benefits of Bollywood - for your Babies....
Asian Mums, Asian Mummy, Desi Mums, Desi mummy, Desi Moms, INDIAN MUMS Indian MUMS, PAKISTANI MUMS, BANGLADESHI MUMS
1 comments:
The "shunning" of Bollywood was even more popular during eighties and nineties. I think it was even justified at that point in a way. I'm sorry but the crazy songs, nonsensical dialogs and crass humor is something that I grew up on, but not proud of. Today's Bollywood seems to have many intelligent film makers. (intelligent film making does not have to be serious). A desi person can watch and actually not be ashamed of a lot of what Bollywood churns out now days. And what the heck yaar...it's fun! That being said, the tv has to be switched off if malaika Sherawat is dancing and the kids happen to be in the same room.
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