Norms and Tropes
What are the elements and formula of a "masala film"?
A mix of romance, action, comedy, melodrama, and music in one film.
In which era did “angry young man” become the dominant persona in Hindi cinema?
1970s, led by Amitabh Bachchan.
Why are song-and-dance sequences a defining stylistic feature of Bollywood?
They serve as emotional highlights and provide entertainment
The introduction of this technology in the 2000s revolutionized visual effects in Indian cinema, seen in films like Ra.One and Baahubali.
CGI
The 1957 classic Mother India was India’s first official entry for this international award ceremony.
The Academy Awards (Oscars)
Name one gender stereotype often critiqued in Bollywood films before the 2010s.
Women as love interests or side characters, rarely as independent leads.
Which decade brought in digital filmmaking and regional cinema global recognition at festivals?
2000s
This process allows actors to lip-sync songs pre-recorded by singers.
Playback singing
This is the process of joining together shots to create a sequence, shaping the rhythm and flow of a film.
Editing
This Indian filmmaker is often credited with pioneering parallel cinema through his technical realism, most famously with Pather Panchali in 1955.
Satyajit Ray
In regional cinema, especially Tamil and Telugu, this archetype makes a grand slow-motion entry to cheers from fans.
Mass Hero
With the rise of multiplexes, NRI stories, and family dramas like Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, this decade reflected globalization.
1990s
Song-and-dance dream sequences often cut to Swiss landscapes. Which filmmaker popularized this?
Yash Chopra
This 1937 film was India’s first in colour, setting a new visual standard.
Kisan Kanya
Which Bollywood film has the record for the longest theatrical run?
Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge