Bollywood, a term that combines “Bombay” and “Hollywood,” is the popular name for the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai. Over the decades, it has grown into one of the largest and most influential film industries in the world.
Bollywood is known for its vibrant, high-energy films, which feature iconic song-and-dance sequences, dramatic storytelling, and musicality. From its early days of black-and-white films like Mughal-e-Azam and Pyaasa, which captured the essence of India’s cultural and social fabric, to blockbusters like Sholay and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Bollywood has continued to evolve with the times. The influence of Bollywood is far-reaching, with Indian diaspora communities worldwide embracing Bollywood films, music, and actors. It has also shaped global pop culture, cementing its place as an iconic and powerful force in the entertainment world.
However, in recent years, the industry has experienced a decline in box office numbers, compounded by factors such as the rise of Over-the-Top (OTT) platforms and the global COVID-19 pandemic, which forced theatres to close for extended periods. Audiences, now accustomed to on-demand content, have gravitated toward digital platforms. This shift has led to a restructuring of how films are produced, marketed, and consumed. The focus has now shifted to a more nuanced storytelling, experimental filmmaking, and an exploration of real-world issues, aiming to propel its reach through both theatres and OTT platforms.
In addition to these challenges, Bollywood has faced major controversies, particularly after the tragic suicide of actor Sushant Singh Rajput in 2020. His death ignited widespread discussions about mental health, the pressures of the film industry, and the issue of nepotism. Many pointed to the favoritism shown to industry insiders and the lack of opportunities for outsiders, which led to accusations of a closed and biased system. Furthermore, reports of drug abuse within Bollywood, especially in the aftermath of Rajput’s death, fueled media scrutiny.
Well written. The author presents several facets of a complicated issue.
Something to consider wrt to freedom of expression. There are responsibilities associated with freedoms, though not enforceable necessarily, too.
Content creators, however, aren’t
engaged in expression per se. They are engaged in a commercial activity. In a sense, they sell sex, drugs and violence, as the say. In fact, intentionally or intuitively, they do so in such a way that their product resonantes with consumers as measured by the success of the content. Commercial activities can and should be regulated, keeping a sense of public good in mind.
To suggest that portrayal of fictional violence is freedom of expression and hence shouldn’t be regulated belays the fact that violent content is an effective recruitment tool for those who want to perpetrate violence on others.
The argument of course will be made highlighting the intent behind the creation, but research into the pre-frontal cortex and the functioning of mirror neurons points to our inability, at times, to tell the difference between reality and fiction. To add to the complexity, emotion and emotional states modify perception in different ways, at times crystalizing memory, at other times, modifying it. Normalizing violent behavior starts from Tom and Jerry at home, perpetuates itself amid a cocktail of hormones at school, and the fantasy can play out as repressed adults.
How many of us develop the self awareness to break out from this cycle?
Content creators should be aware of a simple fact. Their content is a part of the milieu where they both perpetuate and reflect behaviors of society. They are not separate from it.