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Hindi film industry is also known as ‘Bollywood’. India is biggest movie making industry in the world with more than 1000 movies being released every year. Indian viewers got their first feel of concept of movies in 1896. France’s Lumiere Brothers' showed six soundless short films in Bombay. This was followed by India’s very own first short film made by Harishchandra Bhatvadekar in 1899.
A lull followed thereafter which was finally broken by legendary Dhundiraj Govind Phalke aka Dada Saheb Phalke in 1913 when India’s first silent film ‘Raja Harishchandra’ was released in Mumbai. This film started what was later known as India’s biggest obsession.
Technological constraints kept Indian movies soundless for next two decades. But the shackles were broken by “Alam Ara”, India’s first speaking movie. Directed by Ardeshir Irani, this film completely transformed Indian movie industry. This also signaled the arrival of essential ingredients of Hindi movies, songs and dance sequences.
Initially, actors and actresses sang their own songs but arrival of playback singing concept in 1940s and 50s brought forward many luminary singers. K L Sehgel, Lata Mangeshkar, Mukesh, Asha Bhonsle, Muhammed Rafi, Kishore Kumar, Hemant Kumar, Manna Dey were the foremost Hindi singers. Achootkanya, Mahal, Kismet etc were the initial big Hindi hits. Post-independence era also witnessed recognition of Indian cinema on world stage because of Satyajit Ray. His success rubbed on Hindi movies as well. Emergence of several prominent directors like Bimal Roy, Mehboob Khan, Raj Kapoor, Guru Dutt etc resulted into making of quality movies which were appreciated not only critically but commercially as well. Films like 'Do Bigha Zamin', 'Shree 420' 'Mother India', 'Awara', 'Pyasa', ‘Pakeezah’, ‘Mughal E Azam’ etc are still fresh in the minds of cine-goers.
In between, new developments like establishment of ‘Film and Television Institute of India (FTII)’, National Film Awards and organizing first ‘International Film Festival’ also took place. 1960s and 70s witnessed action movies as well as many art movies. This trend was replaced by musical love stories in 80s and 90s. Movies like, Main Pyar Kiya, Qayamat se Qayamat Tak, Chandni, Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander, Hum Hain Rahi Pyarke, Baazigar, Hum Apake Hai Kaun, Raja, Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, Rangeela etc were the flag bearers of this new genre.
New millennium saw emergence of multiplex and dawn of experimental movies. Movies like, ‘Dil Chahta Hai’, ‘Rang De Basanti’, ‘Bheja Fry’ etc represent new generation of Indian directors who are not afraid of venturing into unexplored arena of movie-making. Now days, movies are more focused on scripts and use of new technologies. Truly, bollywood movies are going places and definitely, things are going to get even better and bigger. |
