The Evolution of Cinema in India: From Hollywood Blockbusters to Foreign Language Films
In the not-so-distant past, Hindi movies reigned supreme at single screen cinemas across India. The era of the ’80s and early ’90s was dominated by Bollywood legends like Amitabh Bachchan, Rishi Kapoor, and Jeetendra. Watching a Hollywood film meant waiting for months for its release or going to obscure places to rent it on VHS, as Hollywood studios often overlooked India in their release plans due to the lack of cinemas and business.
However, the landscape of Indian cinema underwent a significant transformation with the emergence of multiplexes in the late ’90s and early 2000s. The proliferation of new and premium screens led to a surge in demand for English films, which were now being released within weeks, and sometimes even on the same day as the US release.
Factors like liberalization, rising middle-class incomes, the proliferation of satellite channels, and the internet all played a role in the growing popularity of English films in India. The release of Titanic in 1997 was a monumental event, with the entire cinema decked up for the occasion.
While Hollywood blockbusters continue to draw massive crowds in India, a new trend has emerged in recent years – the rise of foreign language films. Indian audiences have become more discerning and receptive to content in languages other than English. Films like Suzume and Demon Slayer from Japan have seen box office success, along with Oscar-winning films like Parasite.
Sanjeev Kumar Bijli, Executive Director of PVR INOX Ltd, believes that this is just the beginning for foreign language films in India. With globalization and increased awareness, foreign language cinema has found a dedicated audience in one of the largest cinema markets in the world. The evolution of cinema in India continues to be a fascinating journey, with audiences embracing a diverse range of films from around the globe.