A PERSPECTIVE ON THE RACIAL IMPLICATIONS OF THE UNITED STATES AND INDIA’S BOOMING FILM INDUSTRY.
By Arya Hanumara
Social Effects Head
President
Co-Editor In Chief
As we are all stuck at home during these unsettling times, it has become rather natural for us to resort to several different types of entertainment, mainly to prevent ourselves from going insane. I personally have found comfort in running unofficial Margot Robbie film festivals while analyzing the actresses amazing work, in addition to binding Quentin Tarantino’s various films. I KNOW, I’M OBSESSED.
Whilst watching all of these movies, a part of me still wants to be able to stay in touch with the rest of my Indian community. There is always that lingering anxiety from making a choice that tempts me to click on the various sections of Hindi movies on Amazon Prime and make a random choice. However, I often block out this urge, trying not to get myself sucked into a wormhole of questions and consistent violence, a genre which, might I add, does not appeal to me.
The guilt that builds up in me often feels as if it’s about to swallow me whole, but I know in my heart that all I want is to watch a peaceful movie, where I can relax and unwind without several different factors of overstimulation.
There is still a lingering question underlying beneath the simple choice of a movie, between the two genres. What makes it so that Hollywood movies are always SO MUCH MORE appealing to me than Bollywood Movies, even as an American with Indian Heritage? To put some meaning beyond this simple question, basic analysis between the two industries and the slight stress of certain aspects of the racial implications of both are necessary.
Intro To Bollywood
Bollywood is a vast and wealthy industry, boasting a global outreach much larger than most European, and Asian film centers. While some Hollywood actors partake in one or two films a year, the average Bollywood actor acts in about six or seven simultaneously. It is quite evident that the organization in the industry is key. In addition to acting, most Bollywood stars are required to be proficient in singing and dancing, as almost every single Bollywood film is a musical. Through this, India’s conservative nature can be seen quite clearly, as several movie stars are known for their mystique, breaking into a song typically moments before a traditional American on-screen kiss.
A Brief Overview of Colonial India
To properly analyze the racial implications of Bollywood, it is necessary to go back to the mid-1700s, when the British East India Company imperialized India. During this period of colonial rule, India was in a state of disarray. People were losing faith in their government, and were looked down upon by all of the white faces walking across their very streets. The Company was unable to handle the several groups of Indian nationalists who spoke out for what they believed in. They eventually caused a series of rebellions, prompting the British Government to take over the role, forming a period known as the British Raj. During this time, the British appointed several Indians to serve as the face of their country, basing their power strictly on respect in the eyes of the nation's vastly growing population.
This, however, did not stop direct forms of abuse, consisting of British military rulers forcing Indian soldiers to grease their gun cartridges with pig and cow fat, intentionally making the troops feel greatly uncomfortable. This is primarily due to the strictly Muslim and Hindu views of respect towards these two sacred animals. The Indian troops refused to use the guns, eventually causing the British to begin to use brute force to win superiority over the Indian people.
This theme of white superiority has translated itself into various forms of Indian life, mainly affecting beauty standards and fashion. For instance, the skin lighting industry in India has become one of the largest in the world, this building up the sense that to be beautiful, one had to be as light as possible, to effectively relate to the former European controllers. In a certain way, it instilled a respect factor, where all Indians now see white people, regardless of their connections with the British, to be their superiors.
The Historical Effects On Bollywood
This sense of superiority is evident in several forms of the Bollywood Industry. First and foremost, the name itself is based on the “Hollywood” industry in the United States. In California, “Hollywood” is actually a place, allowing for the name of the film capital to be completely justified. However, in India, there is no part of the country titled Bollywood, showing that they are basing their nomenclature off of the West. This clearly serves as evidence towards the respect, and idolization of those with a different shade of skin pigmentation.
Additionally, the plot of most Indian movies is based on several different subplots of American movies. There is a sense of respect that Indians have for American films, making it so that they structure most movies off of 1900’s traditional westerns. They use this style to bring about authority in characters, juxtapose protagonists and antagonists, and even find ways to pay homage to various American actors throughout the course of the movie.
The use of English in Bollywood films is also seen largely in moments of eloquence, associating the language with extravagance. It is perceived in the Indian mind that speaking English is what can make a film have class, and eventually become a success (or as they call it, a “hit”). This shows the idealization that Indian’s attribute to almost all white people.
The Conservative Nature of Bollywood
Although most Indians do indeed make films that are bursting with sensational music, and culture, they do remain strictly set in their conservative ways. Bollywood is becoming more westernized, which can be argued to be both a positive and negative change.
One major attribute that Bollywood does not take into consideration, however, is the constant risks that Hollywood producers and directors take by putting out vulnerable and impactful pieces of art. Hollywood is not scared to keep on pushing boundaries and making movies more about current issues, making movies that serve as representations of the world’s relevant realities.
Indians are just now starting to find a place in their films to reflect the world around them, and as for every argument there are always going to be a couple of exceptions, but many Indians are still focused on making renditions of the same romantic, class-divided stories. There is always a clear sense of conservatism that prohibits many from pushing the boundaries necessary to achieve a greater impact on the Indian people.
Translating India's Issue's Into Films
Some major issues facing India today are domestic abuse, political corruption, and strictly defined gender norms and expectations. No one seems to talk about these issues, serving as a justification for the release of the true power of the film industry. The fear that causes this inability to be vulnerable is quite indicative of the truth behind the harsh reality of Indian everyday life.
Like all abusive relationships, one doesn’t really know that they are being abused until they leave, and take a step back. They still think that there is love and trust. This article is in no manner serving against the Indian communities, as there is abuse in almost every country, it is merely addressing the fear that the Indian media has to portray this abuse, and make people aware of these issues.
To Conclude:
Learning is the most important part of film. India has one of the biggest populations, meaning that its film industry has a uniquely vast outreach. My uncle and grandparents are obsessed with movies, and they live in a rural village in India. The media has an incredible amount of power, translating to a dependency that the general public has when it comes to the consumption of information.
Indian nationalism is heavily reflected in Bollywood, and even if one very famous actor was to participate in one movie about one heavy theme reflecting the ongoing tension around them, so many people could be in “danger” of realizing the true nature of their country. They could work together to ease relationships and make India a more inclusive place.
For instance, one movie, Blackfish, severely hurt SeaWorld, a multi-billion dollar company. Imagine what India could achieve if they started to address the uncomfortable aspects of life around them.
Imagine an India that could break free from the overused trends of romantic films, and use their media as a way to make the world a better place. Imagine India evolving into a place, where people could finally see their true value. Imagine India becoming a country that does not need to look up to people with lighter skin. Imagine, a better India.
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