Behind the Scenes of Hindi Cinema: A Visual Journey through the Heart of Bollywood [Hardcover]

Johan Manschot (Editor, Contributor), Marijke de Vos (Editor), Gayatri Chatterji (Contributor), Fareeda (Contributor), Deepa Gahlot (Contributor), Nasreen Munni Kabir (Contributor), P.K. Nair (Contributor), Sudha Rajagopalan (Contributor), Brahmanand Singh (Contributor), Soudhamini (Contributor), Hadi Tehrani (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2005

"Behind the Scenes of Hindi Cinema is an insightful journey into the complex worlds of fantasy and reality inhabited by creative artistes. India is a unique country that exists in multiple centuries simultaneously. This book unravels the various mysteries and contradictions embedded in our centuries-old tradition. (…) Using defined sections and relevant case studies, the authors analyse the emotional ingredients that form the essence of India and Indian cinema." (Excerpt from the Foreword by Amitabh Bachchan)

Behind the Scenes of Hindi Cinema explores the inner world of Bombay film, the best known of India’s movie industries. Many aspects of Hindi cinema are brought to life on the pages of this richly illustrated book – from its beginnings to the present day. The use of songs to advertise movies, the role of censorship, devotion to god and family: these subjects and many more are illuminated. It reveals the symbolism of the divine role models Radha–Krishna and Ram–Sita at the heart of the main protagonists in many films, and the passion of the people working behind the scenes. It examines the changing face of the nation’s enemies, the marriage scene, lyricists and playback singers, and it sheds light on Tamil cinema, which rivals the Hindi film industry in output and popularity. The book concludes with an analysis of the mass appeal of Hindi film beyond India’s borders and the recent embrace of the much-hyped ‘Bollywood’ phenomenon in the West.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The heavily-illustrated work imparts the carnivalesque style of the now globally popular Bollywood films of India--the exotic, often extravagant, costumes, the promotional stunts, the common themes such as traditional morality and romance and marriage, the blaring music, the theater and constant motion and sense of anticipation and surprise. In the foreword, Amitabh Bachchan explains the Bollywood films are "inspired by epic and folk theatre." In the early days of the films, movie moguls would send messengers with drums to announce a film's opening; like Indian royalty in ages past would have bells and drums sounded to call the public for an announcement. The often collage-like visual material is so vivid and jumpy that it can override the text. But for ones looking for material on the making and promotion of Bollywood films, social and religious subjects reflected in them, their distribution in the global entertainment system, and the marginal, yet influential Tamil cinema, it's found in substantive chapters by different writers knowledgeable in these areas. A timely, unique work on the Bollywood films whose mixed, yet focused content mirrors the mixed elements and vitality of such films. --Midwest Book Review

From the Publisher

Behind the Scenes of Hindi Cinema explores the inner world of Bombay film, the best known of India’s movie industries. Many aspects of Hindi cinema are brought to life on the pages of this richly illustrated book – from its beginnings to the present day. Many well known experts have written a contribution for this book.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: KIT Publishers (June 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9068321862
• ISBN-13: 978-9068321869
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,203,981 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the lively, colorful world of Bollywood, August 29, 2005

By 

Henry Berry "Henry Berry" (Southport, CT) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Behind the Scenes of Hindi Cinema: A Visual Journey through the Heart of Bollywood (Hardcover)

The heavily-illustrated work imparts the carnivalesque style of the now globally popular Bollywood films of India--the exotic, often extravagant, costumes, the promotional stunts, the common themes such as traditional morality and romance and marriage, the blaring music, the theater and constant motion and sense of anticipation and surprise. In the foreword, Amitabh Bachchan explains the Bollywood films are "inspired by epic and folk theatre." In the early days of the films, movie moguls would send messengers with drums to announce a film's opening; like Indian royalty in ages past would have bells and drums sounded to call the public for an announcement. The often collage-like visual material is so vivid and jumpy that it can override the text. But for ones looking for material on the making and promotion of Bollywood films, social and religious subjects reflected in them, their distribution in the global entertainment system, and the marginal, yet influential Tamil cinema, it's found in substantive chapters by different writers knowledgeable in these areas. A timely, unique work on the Bollywood films whose mixed, yet focused content mirrors the mixed elements and vitality of such films.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Book on Bollywood available, August 9, 2006

By 

Muhammad Miguel Ali Hasan "Film Director & Po... (Sunset Beach, California) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Behind the Scenes of Hindi Cinema: A Visual Journey through the Heart of Bollywood (Hardcover)

I took on the task of doing an extensive study of the modern Bollywood cinema, in comparison to the current atmosphere of South Asia/India

Of all the Bollywood books I read, this one was, by far, the best one available

The book showcases aspects and foundations of the Bollywood cinema genre, including the roles of villains, hereos, heroines, etc, and how each of them tie into the common dramatic themes and stories of Bollywood films

In addition, the book is filled with EXCELLENT pictures, giving great visual justification to every major point and argument

Lastly, it does a good job of referencing many Bollywood films, both new and classical, giving readers a good opportunity to go back and review those films, if need be

Overall, this book is advertised and marketed as a sensational fanbook of Bollywood, but from an intellectual and film scholar perspective, I would conclude that this is the best book on Bollywood that I have read and studied, both sensationally and intellectually

Thank you for reading and Happy Buying!!!!

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A Visual Journey without Much Substance, November 12, 2006

By 

Donald E. Greenberg (New Delhi, India) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Behind the Scenes of Hindi Cinema: A Visual Journey through the Heart of Bollywood (Hardcover)

Beautiful pictures, arty design, but not much of substance in this book. Its really more of a pictorial history. This book gives very little insight into modern Hindi films. Living in India, and watching a number of Hindi films, I find they are a window into Indian mindset and worldview. And if you suspend your irony, some moments of silly fun. Too bad this book doesn't unlock more of the secrets of Bollywood.