"Slumdog Millionaire" has won eight Academy Awards. Director Danny Boyle has said that the film pays homage to the Indian film industry, more commonly known as Bollywood. There are many characteristics that define Indian films, as seen in "Slumdog."
The most prevalent aspect of Bollywood movies is their musical nature. Although conventions have shifted toward western tendencies, most films tend to be musically focused. A typical movie may have anywhere from four to eight song-and-dance numbers on average, but there are films that are made with over 20 sequences.
After the musical conventions, most movies focus on romance, and especially melodrama. Typical aspects include love triangles and un-accepting parents and families. Over the years, these conventions have fed into stereotypes that are repeatedly parodied and satirized.
The hero is a central figure in Bollywood, as in the U.S. But Bollywood films seem to recycle the same basic plotline for the hero - he's this paradoxically larger-than-life nobody who rises from poverty, amid insurmountable odds, to become either a gangster or an action hero. Sound familiar, "Slumdog" fans?
All of these conventions were scattered throughout "Slumdog Millionaire" in a distillation of the best that Indian films have to offer. For those who are looking to get another Bollywood fix, try watching some films that show all the different things these films have to offer:
"Sholay" (1975)
Arguably the greatest Indian film of all time, "Sholay" ("embers") is so complete and entertaining that it has reached a cult status that rivals America's "Star Wars." The plot is simple, focusing on two men who are after a ruthless gangster by the name of Gabbar Singh.
The villain Singh has become the most imitated character of all time in Hindi films. His dialogue and overall demeanor set the standard on how to play a villain in Bollywood.
The movie, which is almost 35 years old, stars some of the greatest Indian names of the time, including Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Hema Malini, Jaya Bhaduri, and Amjad Khan.
Bachchan's in particular is a name to remember, as he is probably the most famous actor of all time in India.
"Lagaan: Once Upon a
Time in India" (2001)
This is a period piece set in late 19th century India where a small village is having trouble paying its debts to the British landowners. "Lagaan" ("land tax") has one of the most dedicated actors currently in Bollywood, Aamir Khan.
Unlike most actors in the business, who do multiple films at the same time, Khan only does one film at a time. He focuses all his attention on one role, and thereby produces some of the best performances in Indian film.
While the premise of a village dealing with taxes sounds ridiculously boring, an inventive use of Cricket, a great script, some great songs and great acting make for a super hit. "Lagaan" was nominated in 2001 for an Academy Award for best foreign film, one of only three Indian films to receive that honor.
"Dilwale Dulhania
Le Jayenge" (1995)
Translated as "The Brave Lover Will Take The Bride," this film marks a turning point in modern Bollywood in which the typical angry parents forbid their daughter (Kajol) to marry the vagabond lover (current Bollywood king Shahrukh Khan). The movie became one of the longest running and most successful Indian movies of all time, and it spawned hundreds of copycats. It also sparked the careers of Shahrukh Khan and Kajol, whose on-screen chemistry is considered to be the best of all time in Bollywood.
"Dil Chatha Hai" (2001)
Similar to "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge," "Dil Chatha Hai" ("The Heart Desires") marked a different kind of film for modern viewers. Instead of focusing entirely on love through song and dance sequences, the film chose to focus on a friendship between three men and how they each tackle life in different ways. Aamir Khan stars alongside Saif Ali Khan and Akshaye Khanna. Director Farhan Akthar shows great restraint in veering away from typical Bollywood tendencies and even parodying some of them through song. This film has spawned a whole new legion of Bollywood viewers vying for films along these lines, ones that focus on life as opposed to just love and marriage.
These four films represent some of the best, most different things that Bollywood brings to the table.
One can really gain insight into the wonder of the industry, and country, from these movies and branch off into other films.
India has so many movies that it is impossible to list all the great ones, but here some other good ones: "Mother India," "Black," "Satya," "Company" and "Padosan."
Be the first to comment on this article!