Hi Mohit,
I just "googled it" and this is what comes up...Web definitions for Bollywood
refers to the burgeoning film industry of India, the world's biggest film industry, centered in Bombay (now Mumbai); the etymology of the word: from Bo(mbay) + (Ho)llywood; unlike Hollywood, however, Bollywood is a non-existent place. Example: Mira Nair's Monsoon Wedding (2001), a modern Indian film set in current-day New Delhi, echoes the Bollywood spirit with typical traits including music and dance, romance, and comedy

Recently in talking with a friend about this blog, I asked her if she has ever heard of Bollywood. She is a writer and does local media stuff. Her response was she thought it was used as a term to "make fun" of hollywood, a spoof. So, we need to spread the word with the "real" definition so people know!

And.....I saw Monsoon wedding and loved it. I would love as a "non-asian" to get titles of current Indian movies that are really good. It is time for me to "stretch" my movie watching experience, see what this blog has done!!!

Joanie

Of the film artists you spoke with, did any of them offer up another term that they felt would be more appropriate?

Afterall, Hollywood is the name of a town (more like a suburb) that now references an industry.

Joanie;
Thank you for your post. Recently I've reviewed a film called 'Black' which I am recommending to people as well as well the same directors film called Devdas.
I'd also recommend Paheli and Sarkar if you get through the above mentioned films.

Thanks Mohit! I have written them down. Are these films that can be rented from the usual ie Blockbusters? All subtitled or are some in English? I appreciate your time sharing your favorites!

Joanie

Mohit: I just posted one to all three (you, Rohit and Shekhar) and asked you to start at the beginning and to not make the American mistake of assuming your audience (especially people like me--know anything!).
Tell us about the emerging India of today--not even as you see it daily--but as we might see it for the first time.
For instance; all of you have a grasp of writing and speaking English that is far superior to most Americans. There are many people here in America, who grew up here, that still think that Colorado (where I am) is right next to Kentucky--1000+- miles further east.
I had a friend from the Univ. of CA--San Diego who grew up in LA--and he did not know the names of any of the mountain ranges surrounding the LA basin--and he was noted for having a photographic memory as a brilliant pre-med. student!
Most Americans are much less articulate than the entries I am seeing from India on this blog. Most do not know that India is already becoming one of the most populated and powerful countries in this world--so many Americans think of India as a place with only maimed beggars everywhere--while selectively avoiding "seeing the homeless people here in America."
Tell us wht you love about India, what it smells like, looks like, the extraordianry beaches south of Madras--are there still tigers living in the jungles along those beautiful shorelines?
Everything is becoming "civilized" here--concrete and asphalt are our downtowns--some so devoid of the natural beauty of a place like India that it is just a memory stimulated by a picture in a book.
There are places in LA that do not register any "lifeforce" on some of the more sensitive devices that detect bio-energy--places that are so "concrete" that it is no wonder the gangs are the only ones who have the tenacity to survive in those vortexes. Very much enjoying this forum of worldwide communiques. Dave

This is an interesting debate and can have various outcomes. However one cannot ignore the presence of american influence on the word "bollywood" it is a sure shot example of american cultural and capitalist domination over a film industry which not only churns out the maximum number of movies in the world but also is the host to the highest number of audiences world wide. Still more it is one of the few film industries in the world which has its own distinct culturaly and historically developed cinematic language.
YeT we still call it Bollywood a combination of hollywood and bombay.
I agree with the artists mentioned in the above passage that it is not only disparaging the significance of indian (hindi) film industry but also is a clear example of macdonalization of culture or in other words media imperialism.
I think its high time we take indian cinema for what it is and stop comparing it to the west as it dramatically different in structure, functioning, its content and mainly its target audiences.

interesting point Puja

I also recently heard the term "bindiewood" in reference to the growing south asian "indie" or independent film scene. Has anyonelse heard this term?
My take on "bollywood" is that it is a sign of globalization and the translation of things across cultures but I can understand the frustration of some of India's talented actors. I suspect however that some of their frustration lies less with the term and more with trying to distinguish the work they do from typical bollywood fare. Perhaps this is what spurred the term "bindiewood?" I'm not sure.

I can certainly understand why those associated with Indian film would reject "Bollywood" as their marquee, and wouldn't blame anyone who refused to use or respond to that term. But to me the word had never smacked of a pejoritive, but instead a recognition of the Indian film industry's power - Hollywood, afterall, is not a location in the collective consciousness but an ideal. To me, "Bollywood" has always been a word that reminds me that "Hollywood" isn't the whole story (and the name of a magazine that my girlfriend, born in Hollywood, couldn't resist buying a copy of in every Indian railroad station).

Bollywood dreived from hollywood? what differnce does it make? & why the complex?
The sheer volume of the Bollywood(so to speak!) audience dwarfs any reference to hollywood and that itself is something to applaud not cry about

I think the more you label an indsutry based on it's counterpart the more it look inferior.

Thank you for your story.
You must check out this Hollywood story.
Chapter 13 at www.prattas.com
Kimo

To compete with "Hollywood" is unnecesary as it in no way diminshes what is happening in Bombay, India, Sundance, Cannes, etc. It is all growing in ways that Hollywood, and America (by virtue of you Miramax comments) cannot ignore!

Mohit;
I want to start this same debate on National Tv in India. Can I quote this blog?

It's a very nice website you're having here. Fantastic blog: http://www.compendianet.com , Naked truth

It's a very nice website you're having here. Fantastic blog: http://www.compendianet.com , Naked truth

Nice job. I'm planning to come back here in the future. Fantastic blog: http://weblogs.digital.udk-berlin.de/tim/archives/002117.html , Naked truth

singleness wisely absolving!commoner Fred featherbedding exigency parachuted Bancroft:

highness circuit?untruthfulness flak?straps interpreter unreal?...