Before there was Mumbai, there was Bombay, the city's former name, which was the center of the Indian film industry. Bollywood, which is a combination of Bombay and Hollywood, is not actually a physical location like its cousin in the West. Instead, it refers to the part of the industry that produces nearly all the Hindi-language based movies in the world.
Tracing its start to 1911, Bollywood films are typically three to four-hour long musical productions that include intermissions. Essential to this format are lots of action, without the bloodshed of Hollywood movies, and dozens of song-and-dance numbers, which oftentimes feature at least 100 choreographed dancers. Additionally, big-name stars blaze across the screen as they sing and act out melodramatic stories that contain no kissing or sexual contact and always end happily. Movie plots usually center around star-crossed lovers, siblings separated at birth, corrupt politicians, love triangles, and more. Such creations have everything the audiences want and are called masala movies, just like the spice mixture commonly used in Indian cuisine. Bollywood movies are jam-packed with all forms of entertainment because Indian audiences expect to get full value for their hard earned money. With more than 800 Bollywood movies produced each year, which is twice the number made in the US, it comes as no surprise that over 14 million Indians go to the movies daily.
Aside from being popular in their home country, Bollywood films have been well received in practically every part of the world, including Egypt, Russia, Taiwan, and even Hollywood. Bollywood has wormed its way into Western society so much so that Western actors are now seeking out roles in their productions. Pretty soon, we will all be singing and dancing to Bollywood movies instead of watching the latest Hollywood thriller.
1. What is NOT an element of Bollywood movies?
(A) Movie endings that are joyful.
(B) Men and women making out on screen.
(C) A short amount of time to take a break to get a snack.
(D) Singing and dancing.
2. According to the article, where are Bollywood films popular?
(A) In some places in the US.
(B) Only in the UK.
(C) Mostly in Ethiopia and other African countries.
(D) Thailand, Myanmar, and Vietnam especially.
3. What is true of Bollywood?
(A) It is a city in India.
(B) It is a district in Mumbai.
(C) It is a major part of the film industry in India.
(D) It was created by Hollywood for the Asian market.
4. Why are masala movies packed with entertainment?
(A) Over the years, laws have been written making it required.
(B) They aren’t bound by normal movie conventions, so they can be as long as the director wants.
(C) To ensure that audiences don’t fall asleep while they are in theaters.
(D) Indian audiences expect to get what they pay for. |
