Bollywood Indian Cinema

Bollywood, the most commercially successful form of Indian cinema.The term, “bollywood” is often incorrectly used to refer to the whole of Indian cinema; however, it is only a part of the large Indian film industry. Much like its name, Bollywood consciously mimics some American norms but mines Indian culture for the success it enjoys, mainly because of its masala. The word “masala” meaning a mixture of spices(in Hindi), is used to describe a typical Bollywood film, because of the occasionally illogical elements thrown together. While the apparent randomness of this mix might not bother, or rather attracts the viewers of the Indian films, it is only one of the several factors that has prevented Bollywood cinema from attracting a widespread audience

In this case, the exile is almost literal, since the main characters, portrayed by popular actors Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, have left India in reaction to the strong disapproval of their marriage displayed by Khan’s parents beause Kajol is poor and an addition also the daughter of their maid. Having relocated to London with Kajol’s younger sister, played by Kareena Kapoor, the family enjoys an affluent lifestyle, complete with wealthy non-Indian neighbours and friends, expensive cars, and extravagant Western clothing and living. When Khan’s younger brother, masquerading as a stranger, makes his appearance on the scene, he appears to be equally Westernised in his clothes and mannerisms. In the midst of plenty, however, Kajol is perpetually dissatisfied, longing for a return to the motherland, equating the reconciliation of her currently fractured family with restoration to India. She frequently mocks her non-Indian acquaintances and is occasionally teased by her family for her unwillingness to adapt to the norms of their new surroundings. Significantly, despite the differences between Kapoor’s revealing Western clothing and flirtatiousness, and Kajol’s constant wearing of saris and her

Coming from the culture that never supported intercaste marriages or love marriages, with the westernisation of the cinema we slowly made it to a modernised culture where intercaste marriages were being accepted and now where mostly even the arranged marriages that do take place, are not enforced, rather confirmed only after the consent of the man and woman tying the knot. So yes, Bollywood cinema does influence the society and culture, yet not completely. This so because of the generational gap between the various viewers of the Indian films. For instance, in the recent films, live-in relationships have been supported by the society, whereas in reality they are still strongly discouraged. So close to even kissing your partner/spouse in public is considered a crime. To them such level of modernisation is crushing of the