What is Bollywood?

The name “Bollywood” derives from the combination of Bombay and Hollywood. Bombay is significant because it is the city capital of India and Hollywood and it is notorious for the production of films. However, Hindi cinema was not coined as “Bollywood” until the 20th century.

In the 19th century film in India was possible through the cinematograph. This invention was created by the Lumiere Brothers to project film. This device allowed the audience to watch silent films and live vicariously through the actors. It was extremely impactful for Bombay to obtain this device because it began the high demand for India’s film industry.

Father of Indian Cinema - Dadasaheb Phalke

Born during the 19th century in Trimbak, Maharashtra, Phalke was inspired by a female filmmaker named: Alice Guy Blache. Before Phalke was influenced by Guy’s 1910 film: “The Life of Christ”, Phalke was a painter and lithographer. Investing himself in motion picture, Phalke produced the first silent film in India called, “Raja Harishchandra”.

This film was based on a fair and truthful Hindu King which included a scene that later encouraged a lucrative industry of people wanting to join the film industry as actors, producers, and directors. There was great drive for the industry because it portrayed Indian culture on screen. Due to the lack of predecessors a great majority of films were based on religious texts.

Major Historical Films that Influenced the Rise of Indian Cinema -

“Alam Ara” was the first film in 1931 that included sound. Alam Ara is a film directed by Ardeshir Irani portraying a love story between a gypsy girl and a young prince. This film was based off of a love story. Irani knew that sound would heighten Indian cinema and sought out to produce a movie that incorporated singing, dancing, and talking.

Six years later, Kisan Kanya produced a film that was considered the first ever Indian color film.

India in the 1950s -  

Bollywood's effect on Culture -