One hundred years after the screening of a black-and-white silent film, India's brash, song-and-dance-laden Bollywood film industry celebrates its centenary later this week.
The milestone will be marked with the release of "Bombay Talkies", made up of short commemorative films by four leading directors, while India will be honoured as "guest country" at next month's Cannes festival.
Exhibitions in the capital New Delhi are showcasing a century of cinema, including onscreen kissing scenes that originally fell foul of the censors.
It is also a time for reflection on how the industry has evolved, from its early screen adaptations of Hindu mythology to the garish romantic escapism of modern blockbusters.
Commercially, cinema is thriving: India produced almost 1,500 movies last year and the industry is expected to grow from $2 billion to $3.6 billion in the next five years, according to consultancy KPMG.
Leading the way is Hindi-language Bollywood, which took the "B" from its home in Bombay and won the hearts of movie-mad Indians.
But old-timers complain that it has become superficial, neglecting to deal with pressing social concerns of the age.
"There's a dumbing down that has taken place in the content. I think we are suffering from what is called the narrative crisis," said veteran director and producer Mahesh Bhatt.
He contrasts modern filmmakers with Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, known as the "father of Indian cinema", who brought the first all-Indian feature film to the silver screen in Bombay (now Mumbai) on May 3, 1913.
A tale from the Hindu epic Mahabharata, "Raja Harishchandra" quickly became a hit despite its female characters being played by men -- women acting was still widely frowned upon.
Phalke made more than 100 films until his silent style fell victim to "talkies" in the 1930s, but the advent of sound technology allowed India cinema to flourish.
Bollywood plotlines today can involve stars breaking into song, often in picturesque far-flung locations, apropos of nothing -- a style that may bemuse a Western audience, but one that helps to set Indian cinema apart.
"If it was exactly the same thing as Hollywood, Hollywood would have run us over. We don't have that money," said film critic Anupama Chopra.
For her and many others the "golden age" of cinema was the 1950s, when movie greats emerged such as Satyajit Ray, India's most renowned filmmaker, who hailed from the alternative film hub of West Bengal.
It was the era of newly independent India, searching for an identity and producing films such as Mehboob Khan's 1957 hit "Mother India", which combined social concerns with popular appeal.
The 1970s and 80s saw a growing commercialism with the rise of the "masala" movie -- a family entertainer that typically mixed up romance and action, songs and melodrama, a comedy touch and a happy ending.
Parallel Cinema continued to focus on realism, with films such as Mahesh Bhatt's "Arth" (Meaning) in 1982, a gritty tale of an extramarital affair that presented strong female characters.
It was a path-breaker in a decade described as the "dark ages" of Hindi cinema, which struggled with the advent of colour television, rampant piracy and dependence on the Mumbai underworld for funding.
Things improved after India's economy opened up in the early 1990s, and again a decade later when filmmaking won formal "industry" status. Both steps encouraged foreign firms, such as Fox and Disney, to invest in Bollywood.
But subsequent leaps in technology have not been matched by advances in storytelling, say critics, who lament the formulaic plots, passive roles for women and the copying of Hollywood.
Bollywood's escapist fantasies have long held mass appeal because "there's enough realism in the common man's life", said Bhatt.
But with ever more TV shows, the Internet and easily available global films, such movies may no longer meet the demands of the educated middle-class.
This expanding group "wants to see something better than trash which caters to the common man who drives auto-rickshaws. They want to see a different kind of cinema," said veteran actor Rishi Kapoor.
A new crop of experimental filmmakers has started to appear, such as "Hindi indie" darling Anurag Kashyap who is a fixture on the global film festival circuit.
Trade analysts say the growth in multiplex cinemas has also encouraged mainstream films to diversify: a surprise hit last year was "Vicky Donor", a romcom about sperm donation.
Raj Nidimoru is co-director of upcoming "Go Goa Gone", one of India's first zombie films, and he believes the move away from staple Bollywood is only just beginning.
"This is just a ripple right now, it's going to become a wave."
AFP RELAXNEWS
Mon Apr 29 2013
![Bollywood celebrates 100th birthday Bollywood celebrates 100th birthday](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2013-04/81367196117_295x200.jpg)
AWANI Borneo [16/07/2024] – SUKMA 2024 | Sentiasa berwaspada | Pintu sempadan
AWANI Borneo Selasa, 16 Julai 2024 bersama Fauzi Zin.
- SUKMA 2024 : Nasib acara takraw wanita diketahui Khamis ini.
- Ribut petir diramal di Sabah, Bomba saran penduduk berhati-hati.
- Urusan imigresen di sempadan, Malaysia-Brunei adakan rundingan.
- SUKMA 2024 : Nasib acara takraw wanita diketahui Khamis ini.
- Ribut petir diramal di Sabah, Bomba saran penduduk berhati-hati.
- Urusan imigresen di sempadan, Malaysia-Brunei adakan rundingan.
![Hukuman penjara bapa lakukan serangan seksual ke atas 3 anak perempuan dikurangkan Hukuman penjara bapa lakukan serangan seksual ke atas 3 anak perempuan dikurangkan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/51714453013_courtgavelmahkam.jpg)
Hukuman penjara bapa lakukan serangan seksual ke atas 3 anak perempuan dikurangkan
Dalam penghakimannya, Che Mohd Ruzima berkata perayu gagal membuktikan bahawa Mahkamah Sesyen terkhilaf dalam memutuskan kes itu.
Malaysia-Brunei adakan rundingan mudahkan urusan Imigresen
Malaysia dan Brunei akan mengadakan rundingan bagi memudahkan proses keluar masuk rakyat kedua-dua negara.
![Pan-gon mahu kekal hubungan baik dengan Malaysia Pan-gon mahu kekal hubungan baik dengan Malaysia](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81721124936_KimPanGon.jpg)
Pan-gon mahu kekal hubungan baik dengan Malaysia
Bekas ketua jurulatih Harimau Malaya Kim Pan-gon mahu mengekalkan hubungan baik dengan skuad itu biarpun tidak lagi bersama.
Kos pampasan tanah fasa 1B proses Projek LPB Sabah RM1.2 bilion - Alexander
Anggaran kos pengambilan balik tanah bagi keseluruhan Fasa 1B proses pengambilan tanah dan penilaian pampasan tanah bagi Projek Lebuh Raya Pan Borneo Sabah (LPB Sabah) berjumlah RM1.2 bilion.
Sentiasa berhati-hati, ribut petir diramal berlaku di Sabah
Orang ramai khususnya yang tinggal di kawasan berisiko di Sabah disaran agar bersiap siaga terutama dari segi perubahan cuaca yang tidak menentu yang seterusnya akan mengakibatkan bencana banjir dan pokok tumbang.
Nasib acara sepak takraw wanita diketahui Khamis ini
Nasib acara sepak takraw wanita berpasukan dalam Sukan Malaysia (SUKMA) edisi ke-21 di Sarawak akan ditentukan dalam Mesyuarat Jawatankuasa SUKMA Peringkat Kebangsaan pada Khamis ini.
JPBM Sabah serah jentera khas buat pasukan sukarela
Jabatan Bomba dan Penyelamat Malaysia (JBPM) negeri Sabah sedang dalam perancangan untuk menyerahkan jentera khas, iaitu Volunter Fire Rescue Tender (VFRT) untuk Pasukan Bomba Sukarela (PBS) di Sabah.
Sarawak akan pertahan pingat sukan Muay Thai edisi lalu
Skuad Sarawak akan berusaha mempertahankan masing-masing dua emas, perak dan gangsa dalam kejohanan SUKMA yang dimenangi dalam edisi lalu.
![Usaha pujuk Pan-gon tidak berhasil - Yusoff Mahadi Usaha pujuk Pan-gon tidak berhasil - Yusoff Mahadi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81721124841_TBFAM.jpg)
Usaha pujuk Pan-gon tidak berhasil - Yusoff Mahadi
FAM pernah berusaha memujuk Kim Pan-gon untuk terus mengemudi skuad Harimau Malaya hingga kontraknya tamat secara rasmi pada akhir tahun depan.
![Shah Rukh Khan dikejarkan ke hospital akibat strok haba Shah Rukh Khan dikejarkan ke hospital akibat strok haba](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/81716440787_tbShahRukhKhan.jpg)
Shah Rukh Khan dikejarkan ke hospital akibat strok haba
Aktor tersohor Bollywood, Shah Rukh Khan dikejarkan ke Hospital Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India akibat strok haba dan dehidrasi kelmarin.
![Rumah tangga didakwa bakal musnah, Aishwarya Rai dan Abhishek Bachchan pamer keharmonian Rumah tangga didakwa bakal musnah, Aishwarya Rai dan Abhishek Bachchan pamer keharmonian](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-12/71702704701_TBASHWARYA.jpg)
Rumah tangga didakwa bakal musnah, Aishwarya Rai dan Abhishek Bachchan pamer keharmonian
Keharmonian rumah tangga pasangan tersohor Bollywood, Aishwarya Rai dan Abhishek Bachchan menjadi bualan hangat kebelakangan ini.
![Bakal blockbuster! Sunny Deol jadi hero filem terbaharu Aamir Khan 'Lahore 1947' Bakal blockbuster! Sunny Deol jadi hero filem terbaharu Aamir Khan 'Lahore 1947'](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-10/71696480813_blockbuster.jpg)
Bakal blockbuster! Sunny Deol jadi hero filem terbaharu Aamir Khan 'Lahore 1947'
Peminat menyifatkan kerjasama yang terjalin akan membuat filem tersebut menjadi karya pecah panggung.
![Shah Rukh Khan lakukan pembedahan hidung di Amerika Syarikat Shah Rukh Khan lakukan pembedahan hidung di Amerika Syarikat](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-07/71688625300_shahrukhkhan.jpg)
Shah Rukh Khan lakukan pembedahan hidung di Amerika Syarikat
Shah Rukh Khan dikatakan telah mengalami kemalangan sewaktu terbabit dalam sebuah projek yang dijalankan di Los Angeles.
![Kajol dakwa berdepan ujian terberat, hapus semua foto, rehat dari media sosial Kajol dakwa berdepan ujian terberat, hapus semua foto, rehat dari media sosial](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-06/61686370250_KajolSosialMedia.jpg)
Kajol dakwa berdepan ujian terberat, hapus semua foto, rehat dari media sosial
Pesohor Bollywood, Kajol membuat kejutan kepada warganet dan peminat apabila mengumumkan berehat daripada dunia media sosial.
![Sangkut dalam kesesakan, Amitabh Bachchan tumpang motor ke set penggambaran Sangkut dalam kesesakan, Amitabh Bachchan tumpang motor ke set penggambaran](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-05/51684231785_amitabhbachan.jpg)
Sangkut dalam kesesakan, Amitabh Bachchan tumpang motor ke set penggambaran
Salah seorang pesohor yang tidak terlepas daripada masalah kesesakan jalan raya adalah Amitabh Bachchan.
![Deepika Padukone ajak pasangan muda ikut petua perkahwinan orang lama Deepika Padukone ajak pasangan muda ikut petua perkahwinan orang lama](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-05/61683908847_deepika.jpg)
Deepika Padukone ajak pasangan muda ikut petua perkahwinan orang lama
Aktres Bollywood, Deepika Padukone baru muncul sebagai wajah sampul majalah berprestij Time yang mengiktirafnya sebagai Global Star.
![Filem baharu Salman Khan, Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan tak laku Filem baharu Salman Khan, Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan tak laku](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-04/41682674888_filem.jpg)
Filem baharu Salman Khan, Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan tak laku
Filem terkini Salman Khan, Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan dilaporkan tidak mencapai sasaran atau kutipan pecah panggung meski ia turut dibintangi oleh ramai pelakon gred A Bollywood.
!['Jangan melampau, ini India' - Salman Khan selar kandungan berbaur seks di Bollywood 'Jangan melampau, ini India' - Salman Khan selar kandungan berbaur seks di Bollywood](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-04/81680941670_salmankhan.jpg)
'Jangan melampau, ini India' - Salman Khan selar kandungan berbaur seks di Bollywood
Tegas Salman, semua konten bersifat sedemikian patut ditapis terlebih dahulu atau sama sekali tidak ditayangkan langsung.
![Penat dengan politik Bollywood punca Priyanka Chopra bawa diri Penat dengan politik Bollywood punca Priyanka Chopra bawa diri](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-03/81680084840_PriyankaChopra.jpg)
Penat dengan politik Bollywood punca Priyanka Chopra bawa diri
Chopra Jonas menyifatkan kehadirannya dalam industri Bollywood seolah ditolak ke satu sudut ketika itu.