Indian films have had a noticeable impact on the film industry in different countries, on music trends, fashion, even on social and cultural norms. This influence is not only evident in the success of individual films outside India, but also in the way the perception of cinema as an art form and entertainment is changing. Let’s understand the phenomenon along with the experts at tvschedule.in.
Bollywood as a Global Brand
When people talk about Indian films, they most often refer to Bollywood, India’s largest film studio ecosystem and one of the largest in the world, centred in Mumbai. But Indian cinema is not just about Bollywood. There are many regional film studios in the country, making films in different languages – Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and others. However, it is Bollywood that has become the symbol of Indian cinema abroad.
What makes Bollywood so recognisable? It is the unique combination of colourfulness, emotionality, musicality and drama. Dance numbers, multi-layered melodies, colourful costumes, intense storylines – all this creates a very special atmosphere that sets Indian cinema apart from Western films.
Over time, Bollywood began to expand beyond the local market. In the 1990s and 2000s, Indian films began to reach audiences in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Africa and, later, Western countries. Millions of people previously unfamiliar with Indian culture began to discover its richness through cinema.
The advent of streaming platforms has only intensified this process. Today, Indian films are available to viewers all over the world literally in one click. This has given a new wave of popularity to both classic and contemporary works by Indian directors.
A New Breath for Musical Traditions
Music is an integral part of Indian cinema. Songs from films have a life of their own: they are played at weddings, parties and radio stations. Many tunes have gained popularity far beyond the borders of India. Modern DJs and music producers in Europe and the USA often use motifs from Indian songs, adapting them to Western dance music.
This exchange of musical ideas enriched world pop culture. For example, songs in Hindi or Tamil were played in clubs in London, Berlin and New York. Music videos with Bollywood dances gain millions of views on YouTube. As a result, a certain universal style is formed, where elements of the West and the East are intertwined.
In addition, Indian choreography has had a significant influence on dance schools in many countries. Bollywood Dance style, based on a combination of classical Indian dance, modern and street trends, is now taught almost all over the world. Dance flash mobs with Bollywood numbers have become part of international festivals, competitions and even fitness programmes.
Social Themes in Cinema
Indian films have long ceased to be exclusively musical melodramas. Modern directors raise important social issues that resonate with audiences in different countries. These include women’s rights, the fight against poverty, corruption, and discrimination based on caste or religion.
These are just some of the themes that Indian cinema is actively exploring:
- Issues of equality, violence, professional fulfilment and traditional expectations of women have become central to many contemporary films.
- Paintings about the difficulties of getting a quality education and its role in changing a person’s destiny have been widely recognised.
- Caste system and social justice. Many films raise the theme of discrimination and the struggle for equal rights.
- Family relationships and generational conflicts. Complex relationships within families, the pressure of tradition and the search for one’s own path often become the basis for dramatic plots.
- Issues of poverty and inequality. Stories about survival, labour and social responsibility touch universal feelings and are understandable to viewers in any country.
Films like Three Idiots, Dangal, Secret Superstar, Pink or Kapoor & Sons have shown that Indian cinema can talk about complex subjects in a lively and accessible way. These stories have proved to be universal: many viewers in other countries recognise in them their own problems, experiences and dilemmas.
Impact on World Cinema
The global film industry is actively borrowing elements of Indian cinema. A vivid visual style, love for large-scale musical numbers, emotional acting – these are gradually being introduced into films of different countries.
Hollywood has long ago started experimenting with Bollywood elements. For example, the film “Moulin Rouge!” clearly shows the influence of Bollywood aesthetics: bright colour palette, musical inserts, expressive presentation of emotions. In the TV series “The Big Bang Theory” Indian songs and actors are regularly mentioned. And some American films even invite Indian composers, as was the case with A. R. Rahman, the composer of the music for the Oscar-winning film Slumdog Millionaire.
Many Indian directors are inspired by Western stories and visual techniques, creating their own interpretations. Indian remakes of Hollywood films adapted to the local context are emerging. This makes Indian cinema flexible, able to absorb and process different cultural influences.
Technical progress should also be noted. Modern Indian films increasingly demonstrate the high quality of special effects, camerawork, and post-production. Studios are investing in the development of visual technology, which allows them to compete with Western blockbusters.
Thus, Indian cinema has not only become more international itself, but has also expanded the boundaries of world culture as a whole. It has shown that it is possible to create vivid, emotional and profound films without abandoning one’s cultural roots.
