Viral Kapadia, 21. (Photo: Courtesy, Viral Kapadia)

The rise of Indian movies is beneficial not only to the domestic Indian market, but also to the nonresident Indian (NRI) community across the globe. Indian cinema, now termed Bollywood as a result of its strong presence on the global market, and relative competition to Hollywood, is much more than a source of entertainment for many Indian Americans.

With the releases of nearly 1,000 movies a year from the Indian film industry, Indians and Indian Americans have their fair share of picks in terms of the movies they choose to watch despite the fact that most Hindi movies express the same form of basic storylines.

Even though there is a generic plot for most Bollywood movies, Indians across the world turn out in throngs simply to watch their favorite stars in big blockbusters. Many a time, they reminisce their homes and connect with the actors, which was the case in ‘Swades.’

Some of the recent movies, especially ‘Swades,’ connected well with Indians in America, in stressing the point of bringing to the forefront the need for investment, aide, and knowledge that is needed from Indians abroad. In addition, the industry has representation from just about all of the different cultures and segments of India, ranging from Tamil to Bengali and encompassing the immense variety of different groups that exist in this vast country.

For the Indian youth in America, Hindi movies provide an outlet to connect with their culture, learn their traditions, and explore their heritage. Movies such as ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (HDDCS)’ and ‘Devdas,’ display the exuberance of colors and the lightheartedness of traditional India.

The movie, ‘HDDCS’ shows the viewer scenes depicting the ambience of a rural Indian household, with a large extended family. The prospect of having an extended family such as that in the movie was one that was extremely common in the early part of the century in India, contrary to the situation that prevails. The movie goes on to highlight the ‘backwardness’ that still exists in rural India regarding the way marriages and proposals are considered.

Another unique point of ‘HDDCS’ is that it brings forth the relationship between the teacher and the pupil in relation to gurudakshina, which is passed down by generations, and stems all the way from the Mahabharata. There are many a youth who learn about such incidents and history through the deeper interpretation of Bollywood movies.

I personally feel that Hindi movies illustrate different parts of India that I have not yet seen. In addition, there are many Indian American youth who may have chosen not to or have not been able to visit India to see first hand what the country and its people are like, and the hospitality and sense of camaraderie that is many times created. For them, Hindi movies are the closest thing to it. Bollywood brings India to the NRIs in the same way that Hollywood brings America to Indians and the rest of the world.

In addition, Bollywood does not only bring India to NRIs, but showcases to the youth the existence and the potential for talent and development of art in India through music, colors, songs, and many other themes.

The music created by prominent music directors of movies such as A.R. Rehman and Anu Malik, and the sitar of Ravi Shankar, gives us a chance to hear and learn about the rising trends of music in India. Music is an art which has always been very important in Indian culture and is prominent in all major festivals and events from weddings to Diwali.

Indian movies showcase the existence of art in India, and how it’s such a significant part of our culture. Indian art has been recognized across the globe for its vibrancy and effusiveness, and to this day, its popularity continues to grow in many parts of the world. Filmmaking is an art on its own, and the ability to connect with the viewer is what results in the success of the movies, which Bollywood seems to be doing at an immensely fast rate with the number of movies it produces.

From my personal college experience and having seen interaction between Indian American students and students from India, Hindi movies, many a time, are actually the platform where people find common ground to break the barrier.

As a result, the importance of Bollywood and many of its significant movies is far greater than just providing a source of entertainment.

The next time you watch a Bollywood movie look deeper into it, and realize the symbolism that exists, and the ‘India’ and the people that it brings out. Calling from India, Bollywood beckons NRIs across the globe.