Bollywood & Indian Pop Culture
Bollywood is the world's largest film industry by number of productions — over 1,500 films per year, watched by a billion-strong audience. The name is a combination of Bombay (Mumbai's old name) and Hollywood, but the comparison falls short: Bollywood is not mere entertainment, it is the common cultural denominator of a country with 22 languages and countless subcultures.
A classic Bollywood film lasts 2.5–3 hours and follows a proven formula: love, obstacles, dramatic family scenes, at least 5–6 dance numbers with hundred-member choreographies, a villain, tears, and in the end, love triumphs. The songs are as important as the film itself — they play on the radio, at weddings, in rickshaws, and temples. Stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Deepika Padukone, and Ranveer Singh are revered like demigods.
Besides Bollywood, there are significant regional film industries: Tollywood (Telugu, Hyderabad), Kollywood (Tamil, Chennai), and Malayalam Cinema (Kerala) — the latter produces some of the most artistically demanding films in Asia.
For tourists: A cinema visit in India is a must — even if you don't understand a word. The atmosphere in a packed Indian cinema (clapping, cheering, whistling, phones ringing) is a cultural experience. Tickets from 150 ₹ (1.70 €). In Mumbai, you can book Bollywood studio tours and visit famous filming locations.
