Bollywood
March 24, 2023

Bollywood – India’s blockbuster film industry

For almost a century, Bollywood has offered entertainment, excitement and escapism for millions of fans while creating some of the world’s highest paid celebrities.

With our ever-growing reputation for great flavours, the finest locally sourced ingredients and superb service, Namaste strive to be the very best we can be attracting people from all cultures and backgrounds including one of Bollywood’s biggest names.

Who created the name Bollywood and when?

Bollywood is the name given to the Bombay film industry in 1932 by film producer and screenwriter Dadasaheb Phalke – ‘the father of Indian cinema’.

How did Bollywood get its name?

Bollywood is a blend of the words Bombay, (which has now reverted to its original name of Mumbai), and Hollywood, which dates to the early 20th century and the establishment of the major US film studios, that has become the focal point of the global film industry.

Is Bollywood bigger than Hollywood?

The Bollywood film industry produces upwards of 1000 films every single year and is now the largest film industry in the world.

Who are Bollywood’s biggest names?

Amitabh Bachchan
Often referred to as Shahenshah (King of Kings), from the movie of the same name, or simply as Big B, Amitabh Bachchan is regarded as one of the most successful and influential actors in the history of Indian cinema. Appearing in over 200 films spanning over five decades, he has also ventured into film production, politics and tv presenting, hosting several seasons of the game show Kaun Banega Crorepati, India’s version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire?

Salman Khan
Salman Khan is an actor, film producer and tv personality and is viewed as one of Bollywood’s all-time superstars. With over 120 movies to his name, he has become one of the highest paid celebrities in the world.

Shah Rukh Khan
Often referred to as SRK, The Baadshah (Emperor) of Bollywood or King Khan, Shah Rukh Khan stands atop an Indian media empire. Named as one of Newsweek’s ‘50 Most Powerful People in the World’ and Empire’s ’50 Greatest Actors of All Time’, he owns the highly successful Mumbai-based production company, Red Chillies Entertainment. As a keen sports fan, SRK also owns the franchise for Indian Premier League cricket team Kolkata Knight Riders.

Aamir Khan
With several family members already involved in the Indian film industry, Aamir Khan began acting as a young child, developing into one of the industry’s most notable actors. Receiving many highly prestigious awards, from thrillers to comedies, his thirty-year career has seen him become an equally successful film producer and director. With an incredible fan base, predominantly in India and China, he has been described by Newsweek as ‘the biggest movie star in the world’.

Kareena Kapoor
As one of Bollywood’s highest paid actresses, Kareena Kapoor has stepped easily from one film genre to another, from romantic comedies to thrillers, picking up several awards along the way. Married to fellow actor Saif Ali Khan, Kapoor is also an accomplished stage actress, clothes designer, radio show host and contributing author of both autobiographical memoirs and healthy eating guides. Her ongoing work with UNICEF has promoted the importance of children’s education.

Katrina Kaif
Born in Hong Kong with British citizenship, Katrina Kaif began her career as a model but took the step into acting after being spotted by an Indian film director at a London fashion show. Her initial poor command of Hindi and lacklustre performances made her an easy target for critics and fellow actors. She has since risen to become one of Bollywood’s most successful and popular actresses, referred to as the ‘undisputed queen of Bollywood dance numbers’ and named ‘The World’s Sexiest Woman’ five times by FHM India. She is currently one of Bollywood’s most followed actresses on Instagram.

Rani Mukherji
As part of the Mukherji-Samarth dynasty that has been involved in the Indian film industry since the 1930’s, Rani Mukherji is seen as one of Bollywood’s most versatile actresses. Careful to avoid typecasting, she has stepped from typical glamorous leads into more challenging roles, from high-profile blockbusters to small-scale films. She is said to have put much of her success down to her obsessive approach to the character she is playing.

Do Bollywood stars cross over to Hollywood?

Many actors have made the leap from Bollywood to Hollywood including Priyanka Chopra. The wife of Nick Jonas caught the attention of leading producers to land a villainous role in the big screen version of Baywatch. She has worked alongside Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, Claire Danes and Liam Hemsworth.

Do all Bollywood films include singing and dancing?

Although many thousands of Hindi films include both singing and dancing routines, they are not seen as musicals in the western sense of the word. They are simply an integral feature of the film genre. Western influences have seen a rise in films that do not follow this norm.

What are playback singers?

Although Indian films appear to have the cast both singing and dancing, most songs are pre-recorded by playback, or ghost, singers, with the actors then miming over the words. The playback singer does not appear on screen.

One of Bollywood’s most famous playback singers, Lata Mangeshkar, began her career in 1942, writing and recording until shortly before her death in 2022.
Recording over five thousand songs in thirty-six regional languages, she held the Guinness World Record for ‘Most Recorded Artist in History’ until the category was discontinued in 1991.

Do all Bollywood films come from India?

Although all Bollywood films are produced in India, not all Indian films are part of the Bollywood industry. There are several regional film industries throughout India serving the insatiable demand for productions that reflect the incredible range of languages and cultures.

In conclusion

Celebrity is a privilege usually reserved for the rich and famous but, at Namaste, we invite you to wander from your world into ours to enjoy a little theatre and a touch of pampering that will hopefully leave you feeling like a million dollars.

Experience the authentic taste of Indian cuisine at Namaste by Delhi Darbar. Book a table now for a memorable dining experience.

From breakfast to business lunch, family celebration to pre-cinema snacks or gathering with friends, your Namaste by Delhi Darbar experience starts here. Whatever the time of day, whatever the occasion, let us know your seating and dietary requirements and we will do our utmost to accommodate your every need.