Mains Libre

4.What makes Bollywood films unusuals?

Bollywood films are really colourful and crammed with singing, dancing, loads of costume changes. Bollywood films are mostly comprised of romantic or comedic elements. They also used to stick to a formula of boy meets girl, they fall in love and they struggle for family approval.

Kissing, Sex and graphic scenes are hard to find in Bollywood films, and only a few rare films have graphic content. But murder, violence and swearing on the other hand, can be found more frequently depending on which films you decide to watch. In order to understand a lot of Bollywood film plots, it is important to be familiar in Hindu and cultural customs, and traditions. Usually films will have scenes that feature rituals, or customs that take place on a specific holiday (like the throwing of colors on Holi, or fasting for your Husband on Karva Chauth) Marriage customs are different from the west for Hindus, and you will see lots of wedding scenes in a Bollywood film. Usually they display dancing, the painting of henna on the bride and bridesmaid’s hands, the colorful outfits, a wedding sari, and a wedding suit with turban for men, and the walk around the fire.

5.Who are the big stars?

One of the biggest Bollywood actors is Amitabh Bhachan. He's been starring Indian films for over 30 years and has been compared to Hollywood's Robert De Niro. Salman Khan is also very popular and got his big break playing in Maine Pyar Kiya. Shah Rukh Khan One of the most influential actors in Bollywood. another Bollywood legend. His name literally translates into Face of the King. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, she is one of the most famous actress her generation. She's been crowned Miss world in 1994. With her charm and Beauty she became India's darling. She also appeared on severals L'Oreal commercial.

7.What’s the future for Bolllywood?

The future looks even brighter for Bollywood. Big US film companies such as Warner Bros and Twentieth Century Fox are setting up offices in India.

Where Indian film makers have found it difficult to compete with Hollywood's special effects, this is seen as the next big area for Bollywood to develop.

Mumbai’s filmmakers were originally influenced by old Hollywood musicals from the golden age of American cinema, in which they incorporated Indian music, dance and values, until there was really nothing American about them whatsoever. And now Bollywood, or at least a moderate, Americanized version of it, is gathering international interest—especially in areas with South Asian immigrant communities like the United States, England, Australia, and Persian Gulf states.

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