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The Pocket Essentials: Film
Bollywood: The Pocket Essential
Bombay's prolific Hindi-language film industry is more than just a giant entertainment juggernaut for 1 billion-plus Indians worldwide. It's a part of Indian culture, language, fashion and lifestyles. It's also a great bundle of contradictions and contrasts, like India itself. Thrillers, horror, murder mysteries, courtroom dramas, Hong Kong-style action gunfests, romantic comedies, soap operas, mythological costume dramas...they're all blended with surprising skill into the musical boy-meets-girl formula of Bollywood. The results are a bizarre, overblown mixture of high concept, ethnic colour, traditional values, high-pitched emotional drama, sizzling sensuality and music, always music. What's in this book? As well as an introductory essay, a selection of 25 major seminal films are examined in entertaining, intimate detail. There's also a section on the current state of the industry, the star system, film music and a list of additional books and films that will help you enjoy and make sense of the new Hindi movie showing at your nearest multiplex.
96 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 24, 2007
Looks like a cheesy review book but actually an incredibly concise catalogue of Bollywood films. The book is divided by decades and includes the films that made a significant cultural impact. There is a star system but notice that even the crappiest movies may have been enormously popular. The author explains the popularity of such movies in relation to Indian culture.
He also explains the subtleties that would go unnoticed or curious to non-Indians, such as the portrayals of Catholics in films (Western and promiscuous, therefore let's put them in miniskirts!). Intelligent writing that recognizes the absurdity inherent in Bollywood films yet understands that that is its most compelling quality. Also dishes up the reviews with inside gossip and personal opinion, like the controversy of Lagaan being chosen as the Oscar contender instead of Gadar.
He also explains the subtleties that would go unnoticed or curious to non-Indians, such as the portrayals of Catholics in films (Western and promiscuous, therefore let's put them in miniskirts!). Intelligent writing that recognizes the absurdity inherent in Bollywood films yet understands that that is its most compelling quality. Also dishes up the reviews with inside gossip and personal opinion, like the controversy of Lagaan being chosen as the Oscar contender instead of Gadar.
February 7, 2017
Very interesting and entertaining book about Bollywood film history. Ashok Banker has a great sense of humour, that doesn't close its eyes when it comes to the asurdities of onscreen kitsch, which makes it very enjoyable. So, going back in time, I have to find Hunterwali somewhere... - a book, not only for Bollywood beginners!
April 24, 2007
What a nice, concise guide to some of Bollywood's best films through the ages. The author, Ashok Banker, has a nice sense of humor and uses slick rating system. He also offers lots of interesting historical background in his reviews.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews