Foundations of Bollywood Cinema

This unit introduces students to the historical, cultural, and industrial foundations of Bollywood, surveying major films, stars, families, genres, and musical and dance traditions that define the industry. Students will build analytic vocabulary and industry awareness needed to evaluate filmmaking choices and soundtrack practices, preparing them for deeper production, criticism, and research in subsequent units.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the historical development and industry structures of Bollywood (including major families, star systems, and regional interactions) by citing key films, figures, and events such as the Partition’s impact, Kapoor family legacies, and the rise of Amitabh Bachchan and the Khans
• Evaluate how music and dance function narratively and commercially in Bollywood by comparing soundtrack genres (filmi classics, disco, rock, qawwali), influential composers/performers (e.g., Bappi Lahiri, Pakistani contributors), and specific song sequences from exemplar films
• Demonstrate understanding of Bollywood’s global representation and cultural reach by critiquing its portrayal in international media, award cultures, diasporic fandom, and crossovers with Hollywood and regional industries (Tollywood)
• Apply film-analysis skills to identify genre conventions and character archetypes (romantic hero, antihero, comic relief, action star), and assess industry practices such as plot recycling and family dynasties through comparative written or multimedia analyses