Evolution of Bollywood

Writer: Kunshi Varma

Editor: Nishtha

Illustrator: Chirag Taneja

Bollywood? What comes to one's mind when they hear it? Drama? Good Vibey songs? Action? Or the same old classic love story? Bollywood got its name from Bombay and Hollywood. Bollywood was not always “Jaa Simran Jaa Jeele apni zindagi” or “main apni favourite hu.” It was merely a simple black and white “Abhi na jao chhod kar.” The first bollywood movie was Dadasaheb Phalke's silent Raja Harishchandra released in 1913.

The last black and white movie was released in the 1960s. The first coloured film was released in 1937. So many of the dialogues used in movies have stuck with us and are said by us in our day-to-day life. Be it “Mere paas maa hai” to “Yeh naya Hindustan hai, ghar main ghusega bhi aur maarega bhi.” How the industry evolved from making simple movies to action, fiction, thrillers. The camera work, editing, shooting, every aspect evolved throughout the way. 2000s had some of the best movies like Lagaan, Om Shanti Om, Dil Chahta Hai. Not only did the making of the movies change but also the songs, from ghazals to slow songs to raps. The beats, the usage of instruments, the casting of the songs, throughout the years. The artists changed, actors changed, storylines changed. The industry also comprises choreographers, script writers, producers and so many more people. It is a platform for the people to show their ideas to the world.

We have so many different platforms now as well. OTT is becoming a very important part of the industry. During the pandemic, OTT platforms were preferred more and have gained a lot of audience in recent years. The industry also produces a lot of short films and web series now. Singers release albums through music apps and youtube. These films and videos are being shot in small towns, famous places or even abroad. The industry has had its ups and downs but never fails to amaze us with what it has to offer.

Over the years we started having award shows like IIFA or FilmFare to reward our favourite actors for their work in the industry. These award shows through public opinion reward with awards like best actor, best movie, best producer and so on. Many of the actors even have their own reality shows like Bigg Boss and Koffee with Karan. There are other reality shows such as Roadies, Dance India Dance, India’s Got Talent, KBC and many more all judged by famous artists of the industry. So many new actors, artists have entered the industry, even kids of stars are taking interest in it.

Initially Bollywood was inspired by real life characters and situations. So many movies were made on our independence struggle, partition and freedom fighters. Songs like “mere desh ki dharti”, “hum hindustani” were released. Then they were made on social causes and issues like women empowerment(“mhari choriyan choro se kam hai ke”-dangal), global warming, wars. Moving on to larger than life personalities, fiction and then it all got intertwined with global concepts. Inspiration was taken from industries all over the world. Fictionally pleasing characters and storylines were made. In India itself so many other industries like Tollywood and Kollywood started growing. At the end of the day, Bollywood has grown majorly over the last few years and continues to grow.

“Zindagi mein bhi end mein sab theek ho jaata hai. Happys Endings. Aur agar, aur agar theek na ho to woh the end nahin hai dosto, picture abhi baaki hai.”