Indian Cinema: A Very Short Introduction

Very Short Introductions #483

by Ashish Rajadhyaksha

One film out of every five made anywhere on earth comes from India. From its beginnings under colonial rule through to the heights of Bollywood, Indian Cinema has challenged social injustices such as caste, the oppression of Indian women, religious intolerance, rural poverty, and the pressures of life in the burgeoning cities. And yet, the Indian movie industry makes only about five percent of Hollywood's annual revenue.

In this Very Short Introduction, Ashish Rajadhyaksha delves into the political, social, and economic factors which, over time, have shaped Indian Cinema into a fascinating counterculture. Covering everything from silent cinema through to the digital era, Rajadhyaksha examines how the industry reflects the complexity and variety of Indian society through the dramatic changes of the 20th century, and into the beginnings of the 21st.

ABOUT THE The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

Genres: India, Indian Literature, Nonfiction, History, Art

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2016

Reviews

[Chaitanya Sethi · Rating 2 out of 5]

This short introduction to Indian Cinema was very underwhelming. While the author clarified in the beginning itself that it was going to be an introduction and not a history for the topic, it didn't do justice to the source material. It was very disjointed, even though it was written in a chronological manner. Some of the names mentioned in the book seem randomly put in and the post-facto importance that it has attributed to them seems over the top. I didn't like the book and it ended strangely for me - as a comment on the flop Bombay Velvet, which was rather odd.

[Apoorva Dua · Rating 4 out of 5]

A historically and politically holistic take on the formation of Indian Cinema that answers important questions about not just the Hindi film industry, but also the regional film landscape and how all of them became representative of our nation. It is an insightful read for anyone who wants to understand how India took to cinema and the journey it took to reach to the global market that it has acquired now. Only thing I feel that acts as a bane is its ending paragraph, not as smooth an ending as the rest of the book.

[Jackson Cyril · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fundamentally a history of Indian cinema, this short introduction also explores the colonial and nationalist urges that gave Indian cinema (it is the author's belief that such an "Indian" cinema does not, at bottom, exist-- but I use the word for convenience) the impetus to emerge in the form it did. There are also concluding chapters which explore the current state of Bollywood cinema and its future. A welcome addition to the quite wonderful VSI series.

[Akila · Rating 3 out of 5]

That time when you get to read a book before its official publication because the author is a visiting lecturer for your Film class. A good linear description of Indian cinema genalogy and its intertwining with social and historical movements.

[Vikas Datta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insightful look at the creation of the cinematic tradition in the country, and its wider effect and connection with the state and society.. but a few errors seem to have crept in

[Yasmine · Rating 2 out of 5]

To technical, not an easy short introduction, more for people who knows alot. Dissapointed

[Vani · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book leaves you wanting for more. As the name suggests, it is a short introduction, you really want to get into more detail of everything the author discusses in the book.

[Completelybanned · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was not that good. Read it if you must, but the writing style did not possess the engagement or clarity I have come to expect from the VSIs. I would recommend the 2012 documentary Celluloid Man, starring Indian film archivist P. K. Nair (rest in power). You will learn more about Indian cinema that way.

[Brinda Narayan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author takes us on a fabulous traipse through the history of Indian Cinema. You realise when you read this book, that in order to truly understand India, you need to study its cinema. It is, after all, one of the largest forces that conveys modernity into Indian homes, but also somewhat shields audiences from the anxieties imposed by rapid social shifts. It is unsurprising that most of our movies have centralised the home and family as the bulwarks against stronger tides that have buffeted and still buffet our country. This book also gives you many surprising factoids about our cinematic history, and will inspire you to read other books about this fascinating cultural terrain. Did you know, for instance, that most of the 'vamps and seductresses' in early Indian cinema were Anglo Indians? That Nurjehan in Pitru Prem (1929) was actually Miss Gaby Hills? If you want to read more about these women, you can explore Wanted Cultural Ladies Only! by Neepa Majumdar.