Namaste (नमस्ते )!

We’re going to talk about the Indian film industry. You’ve probably heard this word somewhere. I’ll give you a hint: it rhymes with the word Hollywood. The Indian version of Hollywood is Bollywood (बॉलीवूड ). Bollywood (बॉलीवूड ) takes its name from the city of Bombay, which is present day Mumbai. Like Hollywood, the city of Mumbai is the largest producers of Indiam film and cinema.

Bollywood (बॉलीवूड ) movies are unique from Hollywood movies in that Bollywood (बॉलीवूड ) movies are more like Broadway musicals with dialogue interspersed between songs. I have such a great respect for Indian actors and actresses. Over the span of their entire career, most actors and actresses will learn many dances and lip sing to the beat of many different songs. Indian actors and actresses are so talented and they get paid a lot less than what American actors and actresses get.

That might change in the future. If you’ve kept up to date with Oscar news, you’ll know that Slumdog Millionaire wiped out many American film contenders. Slumdog Millionaire is a movie that has the Bollywood (बॉलीवूड ) elements of song and dance. If you want a taste of Bollywood (बॉलीवूड ), check out Slumdog Millionaire at your local video rental store.

Some interesting themes that you’ll see in Indian films are about family, love, good guy versus bad guy and of course, Hollywood remakes. One thing about a lot of Bollywood (बॉलीवूड ) movies is that hardcore and graphic sex and kiss scenes are rare. Sex and desire in Indian movies are expressed through song, dance, and dialogue, but rarely “acted out” if you know what I mean. What’s important in Indian films is the suggestion of sex. Seduction plays a big role in Indian films. You might think this is unusual, but when you think about it, sometimes Hollywood movies contain many gratuitous sex scenes. It makes you wonder, now what did that have to do with the plot of the movie?