India's Progress in the Movie Making Industry

Films were popular in Mumbai before they were made in Hollywood! With amazing storytelling methods firmly rooted in ancient traditions, Indian movie makers create phenomenal movies. The movies that come out of India have use advanced film equipment, even before it was used in Hollywood.

Early years

The first feature-length film made in India was "Raja Harishchandra" in 1913, starting an industry that would grow over the next decade. Cinemas were immensely popular, as they were cheap and enjoyable. The first talking pictures debuted in the early 1930s, with the musicals for which Bollywood is so famous appearing not long after that. The musicals are descended from the ancient Sanskrit plays in which dance and music are used to tell the story, making musicals the logical next step to take for these legends.

Golden years

With India's independence from Britain's rule came an explosion of new films, some celebrating their sources in Indian legend, others exploring the modern world growing in India, with unblinking looks at the ups and downs of the new urban life that was overtaking more traditional ways of living.

Past the gold

It was not until the 1970s that India rose as one of the most prolific places to create cinema in the world, a distinction the country still holds today. With this new recognition came a sense of appreciation from other film centers of the world, and India - Bollywood - continues to attract new actors, actresses and tourists.

These days, Indian film-making is recognized as the source of many vibrant ideas, and inspiring movies such as "Moulin Rouge" and "Slumdog Millionaire." This cultural center is making an impact on the world with its amazing movies.