Indian Cinema

INDIAN CINEMA
INTRODUCTION
Indian cinema is composed of multilingual and multi-ethnic film art. The Cinema of
India, consisting of motion pictures made by the Indian film industry, has had a large
e<ect on world cinema since the second half of the 20th century. whether it is
worshipping posters of Amitabh Bachchan or lining up outside Mannat on Shahrukh
Khan’s birthday, it is no surprise that much of our indianness is rooted and borne out of
our pure love for cinema. But where did it all begin? To say the least, the journey leading
up to our current standpoint in Indian cinema has been an interesting arc. What are now
glamorous films, rife with musical numbers and made with big budgets, were once
humble black-and-white, silent films made with just four reels. In this blog we go all the
way back to the 1890s as we trace the glorious history of our Indian Cinema;
remembering the eras, films and filmmakers that influenced generations of stories, art
and culture.
The Black and White, Silent Era
One of the world’s biggest film industries had its genesis sowed by Auguste and Louis
Lumière — the Lumiere Brothers who invented the cinematographe, a camera and
projector device which laid the early foundations of motion pictures. The brothers came
to India in 1896, where they previewed six silent short films. Fast forward to 1913,
Dadasaheb Phalke, a fellow artist turned filmmaker, was ambitious that, ‘Indians must
see Indian movies on the Indian Silver screen.’ Often regarded as the ‘Father of Indian
Cinema’ his film, ‘Raja Harishchandra’ was India’s first feature film — a silent Marathi
full-feature film with mythological influences. Even now, his vision and legacy lives on
through the prestigious ‘Dadasaheb Phalke Award’ given every year by the Government
of India to individuals with merits and exemplary contributions in the field of cinema.
The silent era which started with the Lumier Brothers in 1896 and peaked with ‘Raja
Harishchandra’ in 1913, continued until the year of 1930 when the progression of
technology influenced ‘Talkies’ in Indian cinema.
Talk the Talk: Transition to Sound
As technology advanced, sound could help make films a lot more interesting and
engaging. In 1931, Alam Ara directed by Ardeshir Irani became the first ‘talkie’ i.e. the
first film to employ speech and sound.
The movie was a costume drama about two rival queens with many songs and dances.
Who knew our love for filmy songs and dances goes all the way back to the 1930s!
It is also interesting to note that during this time, most of the films were historic-
themed. They were about nobility and observed the distinct Pre-British Raj grandeur
which were at large an attempt, a plea, a celebration of the undefeated spirit. Amidst
the turbulence of freedom struggle, World Wars and overall existential grievances,
cinema became a comforting escapism.
Colour to the reel: A Landmark in Indian Cinema

The introduction of color to Indian cinema marked a pivotal moment in its history,
enhancing storytelling and artistic expression. The first Indian feature film made in color
was "Kisan Kanya," released in 1937. Directed by Moti B. A., this film not only set a
precedent for future filmmakers but also opened up new avenues for creative
expression in the Indian film industry. Though the colors were not as vivid as what
modern audiences are accustomed to, they were groundbreaking for the era. The film’s
cinematography utilized the available color techniques to enhance emotional depth,
allowing viewers to connect more deeply with the characters and their environment.
Following "Kisan Kanya," Indian cinema gradually embraced color. The 1950s and 1960s
saw the release of more color films, with prominent titles like "Mughal-e-Azam" (1960)
utilizing Technicolor to create a visually stunning cinematic experience. This period
marked the transition of Indian cinema into a new era, where color became an integral
part of storytelling.
THE GOLDEN AGE (1950s)
In the 1950s, we observed the ‘Golden Age’ of Indian cinema with an upsurge of
filmmakers and films.
The South Indian cinema played a huge role in reviving the artistic expression by making
movies that were relevant to the reality of the audience. Jeevita Nauka, The Boat of Life
was one such movie delving into the themes of socio-economic disparity with succinct
humour setting a trend for movies that reflected a degree of realism Dissecting human
life under the cinematic spectacle was loved by audiences widely, inspiring many
filmmakers.
Bimal Roy’s Devdas gave what Indian cinema has so dearly attached itself to:
antagonising love triangles. Love. Especially an unreachable, unfathomable and
unpredictable sort of love. Hence the 1950s saw a little bit of everything: romance,
drama, realism, musicals — all while probing themes of life.
Times of Evergreen Films
Soon after watching the love-struck hero, the Bollywood silver screen in the
1960s and 70s, welcomed a new kind of hero — the Angry Young Man.
Violence replaced love, realism replaced romanticism and actions
replaced emotions. The breakaway from the traditional mould of a filmy
hero was propagated and quite frankly popularised by legendary actor
Amitabh Bachchan for his role in films like ‘Namak Haraam’, ‘Agneepath’,
‘Shahenshah’ and so on. The ‘Angry Young Man’ trope was further litigated
by actors such as Anil Kapoor and Mithun Chakraborty. The most
remarkable film to be released during this era, which played a huge role in
shaping modern cinema of India, was Ramesh Sippy’s ‘Sholay’.
The Era of Nostalgia
The one period of cinema that most of us readers would be familiar with, we grew up
watching 90s films. The 90s was the period of romance and music and irrefutably, Shah
Rukh Khan. The 1988 film, ‘Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak’ revoked the love for love with its
Bollywood spin of the ‘Romeo-Juliet’ plot. at least that’s what Bollywood taught us. With
romance-musicals gaining popularity, films such as DDLJ, and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai set
the stage for how romance is depicted on-screen. This was also the iconic time of
Kamal hassan’s rise with back to back blockbuster movies. Inclusing other prominent
actors like Rajnikanth, Shivarajkumar, Mohanlal, Chiranjeevi, sri devi, Savitri, dimple
kapdiya The 1990s were a transformative decade for Indian cinema, characterized by a
unique blend of commercial appeal and artistic innovation. The films of this era not only
entertained but also reflected the changing cultural landscape of India. With
memorable performances, iconic music, and diverse narratives, 90s Indian cinema
continues to resonate with audiences and remains a cherished part of film history. The
legacy of this decade laid the foundation for the evolution of Indian filmmaking in the
years that followed, influencing generations of filmmakers and viewers alike.
TODAY’S CINEMA
Indian cinema has evolved significantly in recent years, reflecting changing

societal norms, technological advancements, and global influences.
Today's Indian movies encompass a wide range of genres, styles, and
narratives, showcasing the industry's growth and its ability to adapt to
contemporary audiences. Industries from all parts of the country have
made a mark of their own with their very iconic films. The rise of multi stars,
movies being relased In all languages from viewers from all around then
country also termed as Pan India movies. South Indian films making their
way through Bollywood and into a global platform of films. Today’s film
makers experiment with new genres and authentic stories of their own
kind. While today's movie actors in India enjoy immense opportunities,
they also face a myriad of challenges that require resilience, adaptability,
and continuous growth. The Indian cinema has come a long way from
movie actors to documentaries of them, the industry has made its own
stamp even on an internarional level.

Indian Cinema

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Indian Cinema

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Indian Cinema

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

INDIAN CINEMA

The Black and White, Silent Era

Colour to the reel: A Landmark in Indian Cinema

Indian cinema has evolved signiﬁcantly in recent years, reﬂecting changing

You might also like