Indian cinema has always been known for its gorgeous graphics, fun songs and dances, and domineering beards, which are fascinating and intimidating. Focus on india's three major film bases: Bollywood, Kollywood, and Tollywoord.
In the eyes of the average foreigner, Bollywood and "Indian cinema" are synonymous, but Bollywood's success also has its drawbacks. The movie you have in mind now is most likely not a Bollywood production. In fact, Bollywood refers specifically to the Mumbai film industry, which mainly produces Hindi films. These films are relatively grounded and romantic, much the same as Hollywood musicals.
Love was once the main theme of classic Bollywood. Of the ten Bollywood classics, nine are romance films. 1995's "Courage to Win hearts" is a case in point. The film tells the story of the heroine and heroine who fell in love because of a trip to Europe, and with the help of the male protagonist, the heroine escaped from her arranged marriage.
It sounds old-fashioned, but Bollywood loves it. The viewing experience is very comfortable, the audience generally knows the ending, and the fun lies in the process of anticipation.
Of course, I say love "was" theme because in recent years, Bollywood has begun to diversify its work. WrestleMania! Dad", which got rid of the traditional dog blood routine in Bollywood, the 2016 film tells the story of a father who trains his daughter to become a wrestler. And through wrestling, challenge India's gender traditions and break gender norms. The work was very well filmed, setting off a wave of feminist topics in Asia.
Speaking of Bollywood, there's a movie like this that we've all heard. Three Fools in Bollywood is a 2009 comedy that tells the story of a friendship between three engineering students. Dormitories, beer, music, pornography magazines, exams, college experiences around the world are pretty much the same. The approachable setting makes it an excellent introductory movie.
However, beneath this comfortable exterior, the film is a fierce satire on the Indian education system and culture of success. This culture has forced countless students to study science and engineering, even if some students love photography more.
I don't know if you have noticed that the most famous works in Bollywood have one thing in common, anti-tradition, anti-norms, anti-authority, anti-arranged marriages, anti-sexism. But usually, these films don't delve too deeply into these issues, after all, it's still popular entertainment. But this is not the case with "Three Fools," which satirizes the Indian education system in almost every scene. The film shows the ills of the system and reveals its absurdity with laughter.
In the endless wisdom of this film, we experience not only the lives and friendships of these characters, but also the struggles of many Indian students. We don't just go sightseeing, we can understand what indians think about their country, and we can understand India.
If Bollywood is sweet, Kollywood is spicy. It seems that Kollywood focuses more on hardcore style theater, with music and dance secondary, and movement and drama being the focus. Movies are also starting to be more exaggerated and funny, and what is more attractive is that Kollywood's film style is hardcore, and the story is relatively more radical.
In the case of "Heroic Hymns," for example, the film will be the story of a countryman who, in a dangerous and corrupt business world, tries to build a low-cost airline to improve the lives of the poor. Without Bollywood laughter, the film is a direct expression of anger at social injustice.
Although there are many action blockbusters in Kollywood, those that are more respected by the audience are generally more restrained, and the plot tension is in the undercurrent.
Tollywoord movies are not the same, for Tollywoord, the action scenes are where the tension lies. From quirky superhero movies like "Kung Fu Flies" to hardcore crime action movies, the action choreography is very brilliant, stirring up the audience's emotions along with the story, and full of personality.
WrestleMania! Daddy", a Bollywood sports movie. The plot mainly takes place in the training process, each game, the focus is not on the action, the focus is on winning and losing, and the meaning behind it, only the last game is heavier.
Look at 2019's "Jersey," which tells the story of a 36-year-old retired cricketer trying to return to the field. The film depicts the protagonist's private life and the development of each game in the same space. The film devotes a lot of time to depicting each game, fully showing the charm of the sport itself. It's both a feature film and an "action" film.
But when it comes to Tollywoord, there's only one movie that comes to mind. 2015's King Baahubali is an epic action film about the return of an exiled king to the throne. The action scenes in the film are second to none, and anti-gravity exaggerations are everywhere. But maintain enough drama and seriousness not to be overly curious, or too brain-dead. It moves between fantasy and reality, which even the sequel to this film can't do, which shows how difficult this style is to shoot.
At the same time, in this film, there are also romantic themes and extravagant songs and dances. The simple battle of good and evil, as well as the plot of the conspiracy of the hardcore faction, is a collection of hundreds of families. It's crazy, but serious. It's creative, but traditional. You like the advantages of Indian films, it has all.
On my indian film journey, I saw a film industry that belonged to the general public. Indian cinema challenges the people of power and wealth, the people of corruption, the people of prejudice, this is a forward-looking system of works, each work points to a better future, this is the biggest inspiration for this journey, it inspires me to be better, to do better, to make the world better, and my indian film journey is just the beginning.