Year
2011
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy
Department
University of Wollongong. Faculty of Arts
Recommended Citation
Kumar, Ranjit Keval, Crossovers and makeovers: contested authenticity in new Indian cinema, Doctor of Philosophy thesis, University of Wollongong. Faculty of Arts, University of Wollongong, 2011. https://ro.uow.edu.au/theses/3417
Abstract
The nation-based models for studying cinemas of the world have been muddled by international co-productions and films that do not fit into simplistic categories of autonomous national cultures. This thesis is about the Indian industry’s reassessment of itself and perceived authenticity of ‘Indian’ cinema as it changes to meet the prospect of gaining a Western audience. I will look at narrative idiosyncrasies in contemporary Indian cinema (and more specifically Bollywood cinema), the function of genre in Bollywood films, the emergence of the crossover, how it complicates the national picture. The historical occasion that gives rise to sucha discussion is the release of movies such as Monsoon Wedding (Dir:Mira Nair 2001), Lagaan (Dir: Ashutosh Gowarikar 2001) and Bride and Prejudice (Dir: GurinderChadha 2004) this thesis shows how this mode differs from existing cinemas such as regional cinema and Bollywood cinema and assesses challenges for transnational products searching for other foreign audiences.
Unless otherwise indicated, the views expressed in this thesis are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the University of Wollongong.