Written by Zaynah Zafar
Since the beginning of the film industry, popular culture has played a prominent role in all parts of the film world, providing entertainment and delight for people of all ages. As the business took off, there came the arrival of the revolutionary Hollywood and Bollywood film industries which flourished impressively within their respective cultures.
More recently there has been an influx of Bollywood actors in Hollywood movies and vice versa, merging the two fields in a new and innovative way. This mix of cultures provides viewers with a bit of both genres, exposing them to a whole different kind of society. These movies are nostalgic and informative, providing a look back at what people have grown up watching as well as a look into a foreign realm.
“Growing up, Bollywood movies were my version of ‘princess’ movies,” junior Marium Sadiq said.
Despite being based in India, Bollywood movies are enjoyed throughout South Asia and all parts of the world. In fact, FunAsia, a Bollywood movie theatre, is just a half hour’s drive from Plano West. The establishment showcases all the latest Indian movies and provides English subtitles for American viewers.
“I never knew there was a place where I could watch Indian movies in Texas,” senior Josue Hernandez said. “It is cool that I have the choice to see foreign movies if I want.”
The thing that really sets Indian movies apart from others is that most of them are musicals immersed in drama and have a conservative focus on romance. However, more recently there has been a major turn-around in the traditionalist views on the expression of such romance. Filmmakers are becoming increasingly influenced by Hollywood’s direction, lessening the ever-present musical numbers and including some more unconventional ideas.
“Nowadays, the movies have become more revealing,” Sadiq said. “They have also become more Americanized in the shortening of songs and film length.”
These changes are brought on by the South Asian population’s growing interest in American culture and movies, most apparent in the movement of Bollywood actors to the Hollywood scene. Many big players, such as Aishwarya Rai and Anupam Kher, have been venturing into the American film industry lately. Budding Indian actors and actresses have also turned to Hollywood in their attempt at fame. America got a real taste of Bollywood culture with the release of Slumdog Millionaire in 2008, which made over $141,319,195 in its first six months.
“Slumdog Millionaire opened my eyes to a whole new world,” Hernandez said.
The movie went on to win eight out of ten Academy Award nominations that same year. The production starred Dev Patel, Anil Kapoor and Frieda Pinto, Indian actors that went on to work alongside famous Hollywood actors in American movies. American actors such as Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone are similarly making appearances in Bollywood movies. This fusion of film industries is providing greater opportunities for understanding diverse cultures by appealing to a common recreation.
“I believe knowing about and understanding other cultures is important in society,” junior Jessica Gibson said. “I found the Bollywood scene to be very interesting and different from American culture.”
