Celebrating cinema’s evolution from silent reels to global screens

Imagine a dimly lit theatre, the whir of a projector, and the wide-eyed wonder of audiences watching flickering images for the very first time. Over a century later, the screens are sharper, the stories louder, and the reach of Bollywood much greater — but that same sense of wonder still endures. 

On September 24, as the world celebrates World Bollywood Day, it’s not just the glamour of Hindi cinema that is being celebrated but its extraordinary journey from black-and-white dreams to digital dominance.

When the story began

The origins of Bollywood can be traced back to 1913 when Dadasaheb Phalke released Raja Harishchandra, India’s first full-length feature film. It was more than just a cinematic milestone — it signalled the emergence of a new cultural language. From that point, the industry expanded, exploring sound, colour, and a distinctively Indian mix of song, dance, and drama.

Credit: The Quint

By the 1950s and 60s, known as the Golden Era, directors like Guru Dutt and Satyajit Ray demonstrated that films could be both poetic and political, entertaining millions while also reflecting society. Their work elevated Indian cinema onto the global stage, even as mainstream films captivated audiences with heroes, heartbreak, and hopeful melodies.

Credit: Indian Express

The changing face of the hero

The 1970s introduced Amitabh Bachchan’s “angry young man” — a character that expressed frustration against inequality and became a voice for the masses. The 90s softened the tone, ushering in an era of romance where Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, and Salman Khan dominated, and Bollywood redefined love for a generation. Families queued at theatres, tickets were sold in black, and songs from films like Hum Aapke Hain Kaun or Kuch Kuch Hota Hai became part of everyday language.

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The 2000s marked a new chapter: Bollywood began to engage more with the West. Films such as Lagaan and Devdas featured at international festivals, while the glamorous musicals even inspired Hollywood productions, including Moulin Rouge. Cinema was no longer solely India’s treasure; it was becoming a global phenomenon.

The multiplex and the middle class

By the late 1990s, multiplexes transformed the movie-going experience. Smaller, more intimate screens allowed for stories beyond big blockbusters. 

Credit: The Hindu

Independent filmmakers like Anurag Kashyap and Nagesh Kukunoor found their voice, creating films that depicted urban loneliness, social anxieties, and the struggles of modern India. For audiences, it offered choice — whether to laugh at a mainstream rom-com or sit quietly with a gritty parallel narrative.

The streaming revolution

The past decade has witnessed the most significant shift yet. With the rise of Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+ Hotstar, and local giants like Zee5, films are no longer limited to cinemas. 

 

Stories once deemed “too risky” for the censor board now attract eager audiences online. Quirky satires like Kathal, political thrillers like Article 15, and female-centred narratives like Lipstick Under My Burkha have thrived in this new space.

The pandemic only accelerated this change: when cinemas closed, Bollywood quickly moved online. Today, India’s OTT market is among the fastest-growing globally, offering filmmakers unprecedented creative freedom and international reach.

Credit: India TV News

More than entertainment

What keeps Bollywood enduring is its ability to reinvent itself while staying true to its core. It has long served as a mirror for societal change — addressing caste, gender, sexuality, and family with the same candour as it offers fantasy and escapism. 

From Phalke’s mythological experiments to Rajamouli’s grand spectacles, and from Bachchan’s rebellion to Ayushmann Khurrana’s social comedies, each era reflects not just cinema but also the India of its time.

As Bollywood moves into the streaming era, one truth remains: it is still about connection. Whether it’s a chai-fuelled discussion at a roadside stall after a morning show or a Netflix binge on a Friday night, Bollywood continues to bring people together.