Starspeak on Bollywood
Bollywood, the term used by many for the Hindi film industry, recently entered the Oxford Dictionary. RADHIKA RAJAMANI gets a take on this from some leading lights of the industry. |
OF LATE the term 'Bollywood' seems to have gained currency going by its increasing usage by one and all. Now it has received validation by its inclusion in the Oxford English dictionary.
Is it the right word at all to use? Does this have a slightly derogatory meaning? Does it undermine the Hindi film industry? Opinions were elicited on this. While there are many in the industry who do not subscribe to it, there are a few who don't mind using it.
R. Madhavan
I am for it absolutely. It follows suit with Hollywood. It deserves a place and is long overdue. In my travels, I have observed Bollywood offers more excitement than Hollywood - it is accepted that the industry is to be reckoned with.
Farooque Sheikh
Anything that gains currency or becomes colloquial language usage will be included in the dictionary. I am not surprised. So much has come from the West and this is one of it.
Javed Akhtar
I don't like this word. I think there is an element of contempt or cynicism in it. The Indian film industry has its own identity and following all around. It is undermining the Indian film industry's dignity. It is insensitive and careless of the people to include a word like this in the dictionary without understanding the implications.
Jackie Shroff
Language is all man-made. There is Bollywood, Tollywood and there will be Mollywood and others. It is foolish to do so. Indian Film Industry is a better word.
Madhur Bhandarkar
I completely disagree with the usage of Bollywood. It is a mockery being made. The word was used eight-nine years ago and I felt that it would go but foreign magazines started using it. It is like making fun of the industry. It is sad that it has been included in the dictionary. Other terms like Indian Motion Pictures, Indian Film Industry and Bombay Industry can be used instead.
Manisha Koirala
I see nothing right or wrong in it. They are introducing their conception of the Bombay film industry. People are finding one term to describe the industry. Going by the trend to ape the West, the name falls in line.
Mani Shankar
The inclusion of this word is a left-handed compliment which we richly deserve. It epitomises our plagiarism and shows the desperate vacuum of ideas. It's a mild rebuke to our state of industry.
The Western world looks in disdain. When there are no original ideas and films are remakes/inspired versions, what else would you call the industry? We need to get our act together.
Suresh Oberoi
The usage of the term started as a kind of joke - it is a sarcastic one, not a positive name. It is like aping somebody and not respectable. I would prefer Indian film industry.
Subash Ghai
It started off as a joke. The word Bollywood was coined by a BBC media man. I do not subscribe to it. One could use other terms like Indian Cinema or Bombay Movies. Indian cinema is independent cinema. Inclusion of words spoken in slang language in the dictionary is not the right step.
Raveena Tandon
Whenever I speak, I refrain from using the word Bollywood. When Bombay has neither the hills nor woods (the term Hollywood derived from the hills and village there) why should the Bombay industry be called Bollywood? It is ridiculous. There's Bollywood, Tollywood and so on - what's going on?
The media coined the term Bollywood. None of us in the industry called it Bollywood - it is a term which caught on with the Westerners.
Ananth Mahadevan
Such a step is bad. It's a letdown for the Englishmen. It doesn't make sense at all. It is a farce. Indian cinema is a better option.
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punjini, good views...and thanks for sharing the article and comments from few artistes....
but unfotunately, seems like a lot of water has flown under the bridge...perhaps reached an irretractable position....
height of aping!
btw, there seems to be another 'kollywood' too for tamil cinema
Edited by fairdog - 17 years ago
Did you know that the 'other' HR had fall down from the top of Lau Pa Sat during the shooting?
Also I introduced one of my Chinese friend to SRGMP!!! I asked him who is better – Vinit or Debu?
He watched couple of episodes at YouTube and said –"don't know leh"