1990s: Kuch Kuch Hota Hai Anjali, Tum Nahi Samjhogi!

The 1990s


source: Google Images
AN ERA OF BOLLYWOOD ROMANCE
When we think of the 1990s, it undoubtedly reminds us of chiffon sarees and salwars, the actor and actress dancing against exotic scenery, coupled with the soothing and melodious tunes of Nadeem-Shravan and Jatin-Lalit and the heartwarming voices of singers like Kumar Sanu, Alka Yagnik, Udit Narayan and Kavita Krishnamurthy. It was most certainly a decade which celebrated romance like no other and Bollywood came up with some of its cherished love stories ever. One striking feature of this romance is that it had a touch of purity and innocence, which made it all the more popular among the masses.
The 90s was also an era when Hindi movies were beginning to reach wider audiences in UK, USA, Canada, Europe, Africa, besides Asia.


EMERGING FLEXIBILITY IN ACTING
Actors that made debut during this period are considered to be ever green and flexible in their acting. Each actor or actress tried out every possible role on the silver screen and made a space for themselves. From the romance of Shah Rukh to the comedies of Govinda to the action of Akshay, the Hindi Film Industry was loaded with some unmatched talent. The concept of acting became more of a passion than a choice. The list of successful actors in 90's is an elongated one! These actors had their own style statements which spread like a huge rage among their fans!

Here is a look at the most awful fashion statements among the Bollywood actors in the 1990s!!

THE 1980s: Mogambo Khush Hua!

1980s might be called an era, where the Hindi film industry took on a new phase altogether. Although the trend originated in the 70s, it is not surprising to know, that how the typical Hindi ‘Bollywood’ film is often recognised today; as being a mindless yet entertaining piece of cinema,  can be claimed to have become well-established by the 1980s.

Source: Google Images

ATTEMPTS AT APING THE SOUTH

Hindi cinema changed its focus from experimenting with different genres and different storylines, to sticking a common theme; namely the macho hero, fighting away 10 people single-handedly, while also being able to sing and dance and woo the heroine, all by himself! In a more serious approach, the quality of cinema had deteriorated and hence the 1980s is blamed for starting the trend of making movies for the sake of making money. Movies were repetitive, and South Indian films had started being imitated, with the sole aim of entertaining the masses, while over-the-top comedy and a certain aspect of objectification of women also started making its entry in movies. However, the 1980s can be credited for producing some of the most light-hearted movies of the time as well like Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron.

THE COMING OF MOVIE PIRACY
What was also visible during the Bollywood of the 80s was the emergence of revolutionary new technology whose flipside became more dominant - like video piracy, audio piracy and the use of stereophonic sound to inculcate alien musical trends like disco, frenetic beats and a certain disregard for lyrics. Legal and illegal watching of films at home saw movie producers catering to the lowest common denominator of audience that could not afford to buy video players and formed the majority of the reduced theatre-going audience.

SOME OF THE SUPERHITS OF THE 80s INCLUDE:

Karz(1980), Lawaaris (1981), Satte pe Satta (1982), Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron(1982), Himmatwala (1983), Sharaabi(1984), Mr. India (1987),  Qayamat se Qayamat Tak(1988), Tezaab(1988), Maine Pyaar Kiya(1989)

         

SHOLAY:THE GREATEST ENTERTAINER OF ALL TIMES

       'Saala nautanki, ghadi ghadi drama karta hai' - Jai, Sholay (1975) 

          

 

What do we get when we bring together a great  cast, mesmerizing cinematography, superb performances from each actor, powerful dialogues & music? The result is known as "Sholay'',the highest grossing movie of all time. The 1975 film is the earliest example of a masala film, as well as being considered one of the greatest Hindi films ever. A 205-minute-long caper, Sholay follows  the story of two petty thieves as they try to capture a bandit for an ex-policeman, with romance, gunfights and tragedy in between. Interestingly, the film was a flop at the box office, but became an overnight sensation after the release of its soundtrack, becoming the hit of the seventies. Sholay  is also remembered for its contribution in taking the concept of 'villain' to new heights in Hindi films. The role of Gabbar, played by Amjad Khan became the most popular villain of all times and his role is remembered till date.  Sholay, also potrayed the various aspects of human relationships ranging from friendship to love.  The music of the movie proved out to make it a bigger hit and not to forget the dialogues of the movies are imitated time and again. Sholay turned out to be the greatest boon not only for the  career of director Ramesh Sippy but also for  Amitabh Bachchan - the 'angry young man' of Bollywood. All in all, Sholay brings together all the things that people like – an exciting story, fighting,love, sadness, popular music and beautiful photography. 

 

1960's and 1970's: The Growing Phenomenon of 'Masala Films' and 'Superstars' in Bollywood

source:bollywood mojo

The 1970s had  completely changed the way films were made, especially in Hindi film industry. The seventies began with Bobby(1973) proving how big the potrayal of young love on the Indian Screen could be. But perhaps the greatest film post independence has been Sholay(1975) a 'curry western'. For the next decade or so excessive violence became the norm of the mainstream Hindi Cinema and Amitabh Bachchan became the 'angry young man'. In film after film: Zanjeer, Deewar, Amar Akbar Anthony, Muqaddar ka Sikander, Shaan, the actor represented the common man at the 'mercy, of the system but willing to stand up and fight back. Rajesh Khanna was tagged as the First ever 'Superstar' of Bollywood for his super hit movies like Anand, Amar Prem, etc.  Masala films were the demand of the time. The genre promised instant attraction and had great entertainment value. Other major actors of this period were Shashi Kapoor and Mithun Chakraborty, while actresses included Hema Malini, Jaya Bhaduri and Rekha. 

A number of Hindi movie directors like Shyam Benegal kept on making practical parallel films during the 1970s. Other prominent directors of this era are Kumar Shahani, Mani Kaul, Govind Nihalani, Ketan Mehta, and Vijaya Mehta. A new concept of Hindi film named as the ‘art film’ was introduced. It faced disapproval and censure of the Film Finance Corporation at the time of a Committee on Public Undertakings probe which took place in 1976. The commission made allegations that the Film Finance Corporation was not taking sufficient measures to promote commercial films. - See more at: http://blog.mapsofindia.com/bollywood/bollywood-the-past-present-and-future-part-ii/#sthash.ZZeyjYCY.dpuf

A number of Hindi movie directors like Shyam Benegal kept on making practical parallel films during the 1970s. Other prominent directors of this era are Kumar Shahani, Mani Kaul, Govind Nihalani, Ketan Mehta, and Vijaya Mehta. A new concept of Hindi film named as the ‘art film’ was introduced. It faced disapproval and censure of the Film Finance Corporation at the time of a Committee on Public Undertakings probe which took place in 1976. The commission made allegations that the Film Finance Corporation was not taking sufficient measures to promote commercial films. - See more at: http://blog.mapsofindia.com/bollywood/bollywood-the-past-present-and-future-part-ii/#sthash.ZZeyjYCY.dpuf

THE UNFORGETTEN FEATURE FILMS :40s and 60s

black and white side of bollywood

The un forgetten feature films like PYASA(1957), AWAARA(1951),MOTHER INDIA (1957),SHREE 420(1955),MUGHAL-E-AZAM(1957) and MADHUMATI(1958) Came in 

the Golden age. Even the blockbuster film MUGHAL-E-AZAM got nominated for   

The Academy Awards for best foreign language and social film. And also NEECHA

NAGAR won the Grand prize at the first canned film festival. 

This age laid the foundation stories for the modern age of post 1960s cinema. 

list of films from 40s

This is by pooja yadav. 

ERA OF BOLLYWOOD: 40s to 60s

source- ibnlive.com

" jab pyaar kiya to darna kyaa!!!" 

These words take us to a historical venture to Bollywood.  This period from the late 1940s to the 1960s is regarded as the "Golden Age" of Indian cinema. Indian cinema was at the peak of its glamour during this time. The directors like Mehboob, Bimal Roy, Guru Dutt and Raj kapoor entered the film industry around 1940s. Successful actors of that time are Guru Dutt, Dev Anand, Raj Kapoor and Dilip Kumar. The popular actresses were Mala Sinha, Meena Kumari, Nargis, Nutan, Madhubala and Waheeda Rehman.

TREASURE OF BOLLYWOOD SONGS: 1937-1960    

This post is by Pooja Yadav. She is a Journalism student from Kamala Nehru College( University of Delhi).  

Unreeling The Reel..

Adjusting the camera, putting it on the tripod, narrating the scene, distributing scripts is only what we call the initial hustle bustle that happens while making a film. A lot happens to remain unexplored, and so i decided to share my piece of knowledge that is only a segment of what we now call Bollywood. Making a film in India during the 1920's , was like stepping stones in a gauntlet, where sometimes one wouldn't have electricity, other times technology back lashed and a few times the director would have to bare the brunt of the actors that were only a handful. With ideas demiurgic in nature, the directors' work fetched them more than just appreciation, it made them pioneers in the film industry. One such pioneer of the silent feature film in India was Dadasaheb Phalke who broke ground with Rajah Harischandra.
During the same era, it was the coming of "talkies" that lured people. This era came to be known as the "Silent Era". The films of the Silent Era did not 'talk' but they were never watched in 'silence'. Dialogue was delivered using inter titles. Films such as "Alam Ara" & "The Melody Of Love" were the first talkies to be screened in India. With time passing and India becoming technologically developed , it acquired a new Studio System which led to an entirely new realm of cinema.

    Picture Source : youtube.com , google images

- Tarushi Aswani