By: Riddhi Khanna
We might think that our Indian cinema’s history started with coming of Dadasaheb Phalke but it is not so, as our history of Indian cinema could be traced back to the screening of The Wrestlers by Harishchandra also known as Save Dada in 1899. This film was considered as the first motion picture. Even though Lumiere Brothers were the first ones whose films were showcased in Bombay now known as Mumbai in 1896. The main reason behind the coming of this film of Save Dada was that he was influenced by the Lumiere Brothers production that he ordered camera from England. His film Wrestlers was shot in Hanging Gardens in Mumbai.
Bollywood as we know today is far more different as it was in past. Our movies had more Hindi dialogues than blend of Hindi and English dialogues, we even get to see that women wear more of Indian dresses than western dresses.
It would be quiet appt to say that beginning of the Bollywood could be traced back to the coming of Dadasaheb Phalke who released the first ever full-length feature film Raja Harishchandra in 1913 which was a silent film and even turned out to be commercial success. Dadasaheb Phalke was not only a producer but also, he was an editor, director, cameraman, makeup artist and art director as well. He even managed and supervised production of twenty-three film which turns to be very good for our Indian cinema. So hence he was also known as The Father of the Indian Cinema. Also know we even have Dadasaheb Phalke award as well, which is the highest award in cinema and is presented annually at National Film Awards ceremony by the Directorate of Films Festival.
Our first Indian talkie film was Alam Ara which was directed by Adreshir Irani in 1931. The film is a love story between prince and a gypsy girl, which was based on Parsi play written by Joseph David. But it would be sad to know that after its release India entered into the period of turmoil, depression, world war II, Indian independence and violence. So it was in 1937 our first color film was Kisan Kanya but movies of this kind became popular only in late 1950’s and 1960’s. After world war ended mythological movies were replaced with movies having social messages.
Golden age of the Bollywood took place between 1950’s and 1960’s. During this time, we see coming of movies like Mother India in 1957, Reincarnation, etc. The movies that we see were based on social themes, wonders of urban life, etc. This age saw coming up of actors and actresses like Nargis, Vajaynthimala, Meena kumari, Nutan, Dilip kumar, Raj Kapoor, Guru Dutt, Dev Anand, etc. 1960’s was the one which give birth to Modern Bollywood.
1970’s was the year that saw the emergence of masala movies in Bollywood that to movies of Dharmendra, Rajeev Kumar, Hema Malini, etc. Sholay was a blockbuster and still people love to watch the movie that to even in 2019. Movies like Seeta aur Geeta were very famous and liked by most of the people.
Several woman directors like Meera Nair, Apparna sen emerged during 1980’s and surprised public with their work. Splendid performances by Umrao Jaan and Rekha in 1981 is the one which no one can forget.
1990’s saw the emergence of actors and actresses like Salman Khan, Juhi Chawla, Shahrukh Khan, Madhuri Dixit, etc. Splendid performance of them in movies like Dilwale Dhulaniya Le Jayenge, Hum Apke Hai Kaun,,etc. were the movies that were superhits.
Then came an era where go to see movies like Koi Mil Gaya, Krish, Mujhse Shadi Karogi, Ajaab Prem ki Ghazab Khani of Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif, Dhoom and its series, etc.
Bollywood since then has overcome a drastic change as now movies like Dangal, Airlift, Pk, Pink, etc. have become internationally famous.
Last but not the least we must not for the songs and the Music as well have played important role in movies like Lagaan, Airlift, PK, Tiger is Back etc, Songs like Radha Kese Na Jale, Daata Tu, Char Kadam, songs on Holi have even made movies even look more meaningful and beautiful.
Bollywood movies have experienced drastic changes not only technologically but also we see that script writing has improved a lot, movies have been more appealing by showcasing normal life, romance, comedy and social issues more properly and clearly with better equipment’s.
Drastic and eye-catching change that has took place in Bollywood movies of modern era are portraying women as self-independent and strong for example like movies like Dangal we se women indulging in sport activities, then we even se Priyanka Chopra portraying Mari Kom in Movie Mary kom, Razzi where see Alia Bhatt in a bold character of a Spy, etc. While earlier such was not the case as they shown more soft and delicate in many cases except Movies like Seeta and Geeta, Basanti ,etc.
The phase of woman shedding tears and being naive has gone and actors are replaced with being smarter, stronger and sensuous than before. It would also be good to see that Saas bahu matters are replaced with practical, ethical and relevant issues. We could hence also say that era of melodramatic movies has ended at last.
Therefore, it would be correct to say that Bollywood has undergone evolution quite a lot and till now it never fails to inspire, motivate, entertain public at any cost.
