Bollywood is booming

Oxfam is a charity partner at the International Indian Film Academy Awards, which take place in Yorkshire between 7-9 June. Your Say writer Sophie Haydock explains why Bollywood is far more than a passing trend.

It’s all singing, all dancing, with magnificently kitsch costumes full of sequins and glitter. Lose yourself in the colour, the culture and the amazing music. One name you’re likely to recognise is Shilpa Shetty, after she won the 2007 Celebrity Big Brother in the UK. Bollywood has proved it’s got substance and style and is far more than just a passing trend.

How has it happened that cinema is practically synonymous with the glitz and glamour of Hollywood? Despite a rich and vibrant film industry emerging in almost every country of the world, why do we still think of the bright lights of Los Angeles when we think of moving pictures?

Is it because at any given moment cinema screens across the country are almost exclusively filled with the latest Hollywood blockbusters? Right now we can choose from Spider-Man 3, Zodiac or the latest Pirates of the Caribbean. It’s unusual to have the choice of seeing independent French, German or Spanish film, let alone anything from as far a field as India.

Well, change is on the cards with the emergence of the biggest cinema revolution since sound and colour. It’s time to forget the red carpet, the Oscars and the big name stars. Goodbye Tobey Maguire, Jake Gyllenhaal and Orlando Bloom. It’s time to embrace the bright lights and energetic dance routines of the Hindi-speaking Indian film industry. Say hello to Bollywood.

The Bollywood film industry is booming. A massive 14 million people a day go to see Bollywood films. Notable big-name stars include Amitabh Bhachan, Arjun Rampal and Priyanka Chopra. One name you’re likely to recognise is Shilpa Shetty, after she won the 2007 Celebrity Big Brother in the UK. She’s a mayor Bollywood star - you can catch her in Dhadkan (2000), Rishtey (2002) and Phir Milenge (2004).

Yet some people still seem reluctant to accept Bollywood. When I asked a friend to watch a film with me he sighed and said, “But aren’t they three hours long, with loads of singing and dancing?”. Well yes, that’s exactly what they are, but there is so much more to Bollywood films.

Expect three hours (with an interval) of pure entertainment. It’s all singing, all dancing, with magnificently kitsch costumes full of sequins and glitter. Lose yourself in the colour, the culture and the amazing music. Critics may object to the lack originality, use of conventional formulas and predictable roles of love-triangles, family feuds and over the top melodrama, but Bollywood is obviously doing something right.

It’s currently putting its American rivals to shame by churning out almost double the number of films, which in 2006 reached almost 800. It is an industry gaining popularity in America, England, France and Germany. And, with the International Indian Film Academy Awards 2007 (otherwise known as the Bollywood Oscars) coming to Yorkshire in June, Bollywood has proved it’s got substance and style and is far more than just a passing trend.