Masala; an integral spice used in Indian cooking, is comprised of four basic ingredients; cinnamon, cloves, black pepper and black cardamom. Sometimes Green Cardamom is added for a cooling flavor and the recipe can vary slightly for each cook. Diverse, yet maintaining the base ingredients that lend its flavor to an unlimited number or culinary possibilities, Masala is not unlike Bollywood Cinema.
Bollywood, a term coined in the early 1970’s contains distinctive elements to the storylines, also referred to as ‘Masala’. Centered around two main characters, usually in love or about to be, the plot can vary. Often opposed by either societal constructs or an actual villainous character the two Bollywood stars must work to resolve their dilemma. Dance, music and drama are integrally inserted throughout the films as the story progresses toward its ultimate happy ending, usually not displaying physical consummation of their love by kissing, but by holding hands or emotional expression intertwined in musical performance.
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| Image Courtesy of GoogleImages.com |
One might think that the audience would become bored with such a simple approach to filmmaking, but they would be wrong. Not unlike Hollywood’s classical Hollywood narrative form, used to engage viewers in identifying with protagonists in American films, Bollywood has found the recipe to connect with the Indian audience, regardless of religion or class. Three hours of engaging dance and music in the darkness, served with snacks such as Kathi Rolls, similar to a sandwich wrap, and popcorn accompanied with a spice bar that includes spices such as cajun spice, chili chutney, cheese and pepper, Bollywood film engages viewers toward the ultimate happy ending, keeping the audience pleasantly fed, and maintaining attendance at the average of 2,860,000,000 tickets purchased a year.
Bollywood is definitely onto the Masala for success; and just as Bollywood has copied Hollywood plotlines in movies such as Bride and Prejudice; a remake of the Jane Austen Adaptation Pride and Prejudice, Hollywood has begun to incorporate some Bollywood elements into their films. A recent adaption of Bollywood in American cinema can be seen in the film Mama Mia, where the plotline revolves around a girl and her mother, both striving to find happiness with the one they love. Dance and song intertwine in their journey of self discovery and the conquering of societal expectations that happily resolve at the end of the film in very Bollywood flavor. Although I would have to say that Bollywood does it better.
The cross between the 1950’s musical and the choreographed dancing plotline of the Bollywood industry portrayed in Mama Mia just doesn’t quite carry the impact of a typical Bollywood film. While the characters do struggle against social constructs regarding unwed motherhood and fatherless childrearing, the film seemed to lack the vibrant cultural essence that is portrayed in so many Bollywood films. Although I liked the film and it did contain the cultural reference to the cult music of ABBA, the actors and actresses are American and the film is set in Greece, so the cultural significance of the story seems lost to the viewer, unlike in Bollywood films where it plays a central role in the cinematic theme. The ‘Masala’ mix just isn’t quite right.
However, just like the spice Masala, Bollywood combines the complimentary flavors needed to carry the flavor of the film through, to the standard three hour finish line. Vibrant, elaborate costumes waft across the screen presenting carefully choreographed and rehearsed musical performances, often incorporating traditional folk dances and lending a distinction to Bollywood film that is a hard act to follow. So while the plots may stay consistent, and the basic elements of the Bollywood ‘Masala” are repeatedly followed, Bollywood filmmakers and movie watchers have discovered that the possibilities are endless.
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| Image courtesy of GoogleImages.com |
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| Courtesy of GoogleImages.com |
However, just like the spice Masala, Bollywood combines the complimentary flavors needed to carry the flavor of the film through, to the standard three hour finish line. Vibrant, elaborate costumes waft across the screen presenting carefully choreographed and rehearsed musical performances, often incorporating traditional folk dances and lending a distinction to Bollywood film that is a hard act to follow. So while the plots may stay consistent, and the basic elements of the Bollywood ‘Masala” are repeatedly followed, Bollywood filmmakers and movie watchers have discovered that the possibilities are endless.
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| Courtesy of GoogleImages.com Sources Cited: "Bollywood." Wikipedia, 11192010. Web. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bollywood>. "Bollywood Star Aishwarya Rai Real Life Photos." Bollywood Star. EzineMark.com, 10262010. Web. 20Nov 2010. <http://entertainment.ezinemark.com/bollywood-star-aishwarya-rai-real-life-photos-bollywood-star-16c2b32178f.html>. " A Brief History of Bollywood Sex and Romance." IFC 06242009: n. pag. Web. 20 Nov 2010. <http://www.ifc.com/news/2009/06/bollywood-sex.php>. Singh, Sidd. "Bollywood Basics for the Uninitiated: Masala Movies80." HubPages, 2010. Web. 20 Nov 2010. <http://hubpages.com/hub/Bollywood-Basics-for-the-Uninitiated-Masala-Movies>. "Movie Munchies." Big Cinemas. ance MediaWorks Ltd. , 2010. Web. 20 Nov 2010. <http://www.bigcinemas.com/in/moviemunchies.asp>. "Cinema attendance (most recent) by country ." Media Statistics. NationMaster.com, 2010. Web. 20 Nov 2010. <http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/med_cin_att-media-cinema-attendance>. Benshof, Harry, and Sean Griffin. America on Film; Representing Race, Class, Gender, and Sesxuality at the Movies. Second. Chichester, West Sussex: John Wiley & Sons Ltd., 2009. 52. Print. |
Hey Natalie, I agree with a lot of what you said. Mama Mia was a very disappointing film that does not even compare to the 'wow' factor of Bollywood films. I also really enjoyed your metaphor of Masala and the Bollywood 'recipe'. Why do you think that Bollywood hasn't translated and seeped into American film culture? It's obviously prevalent in countries like England, due to it's large Indian population, but why not in America? Do you think it's because of large musical numbers that take up so much of the film and that in general Bollywood movies lack real substance? Or do you think America isn't ready to watch a three to four hour movie with an entirely Indian cast? All interesting questions. Thanks for the topic choice.
ReplyDeleteNatalie, I also thought your Masala metaphor was cute and inventive. The basic story lines of the Bollywoods films remind me of Romeo and Juliet, but with a very different ending. There is something to be said for a film industry that follows pretty much the same plot, no matter what you see, and yet thrives.I would think that it would get a bit old, but I guess the numbers show that all people like a feel-good flick. I can definitely say that although I am not allowed to make my boyfriend go with me, I do enjoy the happy ending of a sappy Jennifer Aniston-esque romantic comedy every once in a while.
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