Social Media Project: Multiple culture and religions in Bollywood film

Lots of people have their first image for the Bollywood movies which are entertainment, singing, dance, romantic and special effect. But in this assignment I will talk about the background of Indian culture and how it effect the Bollywood film through twitter and Facebook.

India is a huge country with various languages and cultures. There are more than thirty official languages in one countries, and also because India has been colonized by Britain and lots of different races come to India. Those reasons make this nation’s unique complexity. Numbers of race and language cause this special culture.

If we want to talk about the multiple culture in India, then we have to discuss the serious religious problem. We can see many religious theme in Bollywood film, <My Name Is Khan> (2010), <Oh My God> (2012) or <PK> (2014), etc. India is the cradle of Hinduism and also the biggest religion country in the world. Everything could connect to the religions – social, politics, economy or arts. And of course, Bollywood as the symbol of Indian entertainment industry has connected to the religions as well.

More or less we can always find in the movies. Like the film <Kuch Kuch Hota Hai>. When Kajol was engagement with someone but Shahrukh cannot stop it, the little girl uses the play to delay the engagement. When the situation is critical, people feel there is nothing he can do, he will choose to believe, believe in their own god. In <Slumdog Millionaire> or <My Name Is Khan> we can see the dispute and issue between different religious group. In the past ten years, Islam, Hindu, Christian, Buddhist, Sikhism have lots of violent conflicts and it causes the whole world’s attention. Barrack Obama(show above) has announced a speech about the religious and gender equity in India.

<P.K.> probably was the best-selling Bollywood movie last year. Film director Rajkumar Hirani, who have directed ❤ Idiots>, and <PK>, said that it is a “fashion in the country to give an unnecessary religious twist to an issue for personal gains.” He also claimed that he is not an atheist and did not intend to hurt the religious through his new film <PK>. Hirani said, “”I believe in God and, I believe in religion. But I am against religion that instills fear. God is misused by many who wish to mint money by scaring people in the name of God.”

Just like Hirani said, this film didn’t deny the effect of the religions, they use a comedy way to warn the world does not admire in a crazy way. And try to ridicule the disadvantages of religious commercialization and complex ceremony.

Nowadays, more and more people have an open mind and willing to accept different opinion and views. Although this film still causes several conflict, but, many people still would like to go to the cinema and watch this movie. The box office has proved it very well. It has broken many Bollywood record, not only in India but in the range of the world.

And also there have another voice think it will be better without the religious elements. But the point is people are brave enough to face the religious conflicts.

Just like, these people said. This film hasn’t criticizes religion too much. And it proves the idea that lots of people have a rational mind to watch this film. They know what it is. They can recognize the reality and the film. This controversial film has actually opened the veil of this mysterious country. I didn’t know much about the Indian religion before this film. But it successfully leads me to want to know more about the Indian culture.

It is a controversy film because a lot of sensitive elements were used in this film – political beliefs, religion and superstitions. Obviously it was still plenty of people hate this film. Those Indus burn the movies propaganda poster(showing above). The conflicts were still there. But according to my research, the number of people understands this film and love this film is much more than the people hate it.

In the increasingly competitive world cinema. Bollywood film not only willing to develop in his own country. They break the rule of traditional Indian movie. Update the creative concept. The new Hollywood film like <P.K.> or <Slumdog Millionaire> keep the national feature and have the courage to challenge the sensitive topic. Bollywood has become a movie empire. They have promoted the unique Indian culture and recognized and affirmed by the whole world. More and more people were paid attention to Bollywood film.

Eliminate conflict between different religions completely was hard, or basically impossible. But in recent years. Indian religions have to show his capacity. The violent conflict has decreased year after years. Even lots of Indian family was composed by different religious.

According to the research I have knowing more culture background of India and why it was produced. During the way of research I have found lots of interested news and facts. I’m surprised there are still lots of crazy religious in India, but the other people’s idea makes me believe film could really change people’s mind and contribute to the society. Finally, through t his topic, I also want more people could have interested in Bollywood film.