What Is the Nickname of the Film Industry in Mumbai? Before going straight to this answer you have to know there is a list of Hollywood-inspired nicknames. The first Hollywood inspired nickname is Tollywood that formed in 1932. Tollywood may refer to:
- Bengali-language film industry based in Kolkata and West Bengal films.
- Telugu-language film industry based in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh films.
However, the most widely recognized Hollywood-inspired nickname is Bollywood. It is the informal name for the Hindi language film industry based in Mumbai, India.
Even if you have never seen any Indian film before, but you must hear the word ‘Bollywood’. Today’s topic will elaborate on this film industry. What’s its origin, the history, and finally how it becomes one of the financially profitable industries in India as well as the world’s leader in the number of films produced each year. These areas will be discussed in this article.
Table of Contents
Origin of the term
The word Bollywood is an inspirational term that came from Hollywood. The Letter ‘B’ came from Bombay (now known as Mumbai), which is the center of the Indian film world. The word originated in 1970 by a writer of a magazine that was ‘Gossip Column’. Though there is a controversy that a journalist at first used this term in a newspaper.
History
1913 to 1920
Raja Harishchandra is a 1913 Indian silent film. Dadasaheb Phalke directed and produced the film. It often considered the first full-length Indian feature film. Dadasaheb Phalke overlooked the production of 23 films between 1913 and 1918.
Besides, A couple of remarkable films produced by the Bollywood film industry based in Mumbai in 1920. Such as Katorabhar Khoon, Mrichhakatik, Rama Or Maya, Doctor Pagal, etc.
1920 to 1947
A number of new production companies emerged in early 1920. Most of the film’s plot during this period were either mythological or historical nature. Imports from Hollywood, initially action films, were well received by the Indian audience and the producers soon started following this trend. However, illustrated versions of episodes of Indian classical and mythological literature, such as the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, still ruled for decades.
1931 introduced with the first Indian sound film ‘Alam Ara’ This film opens up a mellifluent path for the future of Indian films. Early attempts at animation such as color films soon began to appear. Giant movie palaces were built and there was a noticeable change in the makeup of the audience, such as a significant increase in the presence of the working class, who paid only a few percent of the tickets in the silent era.
During world war II, film stock of the year started declining. As a result, limited imports and government restrictions on the maximum allowed at that time. Still, the audience remains loyal and there has been an impressive increase in ticket sales each year.
According to Indian Box Office in 1947, some remarkable highest-grossing films released at that period. Such as Do Bhai, Mirza Sahiban, Parwana, Shehnai, Elaan, etc.
1947 to 1969
This era called the birth of a new wave in the history of Bollywood. It was around 1947 that the industry went through significant changes. It is said that modern Indian film was born at this time. Historical and mythological stories of the past replaced by socio-reformist films. The main focus of those films was to criticize ancient social practices like dowry, polygamy, and prostitution. In 1950, filmmakers like Bimal Roy and Satyajit Ray focused on the lives of the underprivileged people, who were largely neglected then as a subject of the film.
Inspired by the cinematic movement in both the United States and Europe, as well as social and political changes throughout the country, the birth of a new wave in the Indian film industry arise in 1960. Directors like Satyajit Ray, Mrinal Sen, and the Ritwik Ghatak were the gift for the Indian film industry. The films of this era, directed at a greater perception of reality and a desire to realize the perception of the common man, were much different than the larger commercial productions, which were mostly color escapism.
Some masterpieces of this era included films like Mahal (1949), Awara (1951), Do Bigha Zamin (1953), Pather Panchali (1955), Mother India (1957), Madhumati (1958), Meghe Dhaka Tara (1960), Mughal-E-Azam (1960), Banadini (1963), Charulata (1964), Waqt (1965), Uski Roti (1969), etc.
1970 to Present
Eventually, Masala film started making in 1970. Masala film depicted like Hollywood’s curry western films which including action, comedy, and melodrama. Moreover, in Indian masala films, there are approximately six songs and several numbers of dance performance. This is the common practice that still used for most contemporary Bollywood films.
Although more attention has now been paid to the plot, character development, and dramatic excitement, earlier masala films were truly successful in Bollywood’s production. Yaadon Ki Baarat (1973), Sholay (1975), Deewaar (1975), Amar Akbar Anthony (1977), Mr. India (1987), etc are some landmark examples of Indian Masala film.
With the international success of films like Slumdog Millionaire and the injection of foreign capital into the Indian film industry, Bollywood has probably entered a new chapter. Apart from this fact, some excellent films of Bollywood in the present age like 3 Idiots (2003), Baahubali 2: The Conclusion (2017), Dangal (2016), Sanju (2018), PK (2014), Tiger Zinda Hai (2017), Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015), Padmaavat (2018), War (2019) reach an extraordinary level. The eyes of the world are now paying closer attention to Bollywood films.
How Bollywood Becomes Profitable Industry in India?
India has a long-standing reputation for its acclaimed film industry. The Indian film industry is the largest film industry in the world in terms of the number of film production. In 2013, more than 1400 films made in Bollywood, compared to 738 films produced in the USA, and 638 films produced in China.
However, according to the box office, Bollywood is the third-largest film industry in terms of revenue. The Indian market is dominated by domestic Indian films, which represented 85% of the country’s box office revenue. In 2017 alone, the Indian film industry earned 2.39 billion. Most of the films made in Hindi or English to make sure that they can be exported.
Some Interesting Facts about Bollywood
Some interesting facts about Bollywood that you may not know before are as following:
- Aamir Khan’s ‘Lagan’ has the highest number of British actors in a single movie in the history of Bollywood film.
- In the film ‘Heroine,’ Kareena Kapoor wore over 130 different dresses by top fashion designers from all over the world. A report says that Kareena’s wardrobe for the film was one of the most expensive out of all the Bollywood movies ever created!
- Saif Ali Khan was the original choice for Shahrukh Khan’s role in ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’. In fact, it is harder to believe that Tom Cruise also considered for the role of Raj Malhotra!
- ‘Rockstar’ shot in reverse. The climax shot first. The reason behind it was the filmmakers did not want to mess Ranbir Kapoor’s hairstyle.
- Raj Kapoor’s ‘Mera Naam Joker’ is the first Bollywood film that has two intervals!
- Actor Amjad Khan almost dropped from the film ‘Sholay’ (1975) because scriptwriter Javed Akhtar found his voice too weak for Gabbar Singh’s role. Danny Denzongpa approached for that role initially which finally went to Amjad Khan.
- ‘Mughal-e-Azam’ is a trilingual movie – with all scenes shot thrice in Hindi, Tamil & English. When the Tamil one flopped miserably, the English language aborted almost immediately!
- ‘Kaho Naa Pyar Hai’ added to the Guinness Book of World Records 2002 edition for winning the most number awards for a movie. The movie won a total of 92 awards!
- Mera Naam Joker & LOC: Kargil both films with a run time of 255 minutes- the longest films ever made in India.
- Indians buy 2.7 billion movie tickets annually, the highest in the world. But the average ticket price is the lowest in the world, so revenues are a fraction comparison to Hollywood!
