1. Bollywood Across the Globe
By: Ashley Domerese
Have YOU seen Slumdog Millionaire? It is what sparked my interest in Bollywood.

2. Cultural Diffusion of the Bollywood Music Culture
Where are the South Asian diaspora communities? Where do South Asians move and how do you think the demand for Bollywood films would grow there?

3. Bollywood as a Cultural Link
According to some social scientists, the most important "binding element" among diasporic Indians is Bollywood culture.
Many Bollywood films make full, explicit use of song and dance to describe the actual journey into diasporic space: the space of imagination is thus amplified across national borders.
Do Bollywood films make them people of South Asian heritage feel closer to home?

4. The International Audience
International tickets sales account for 15% to 25% of the money made in theaters by Indian films, analysts say. For some films that figure can be as high as 50%.
Bollywood films bear signs of the global featured films: the new styles of clothing, music, dance, and cinematography, as well as the diverse, worldwide settings of the films.
Shahrukh Khan (or SRK) is the most famous Bollywood star of the past twenty years. Notice the different cultures present in the video. What aspects of Western culture can be seen or heard in this title song? Do you think this film is intended for an audience in India or different disapora communities?

5. Bollywood in International Demand
Amitabh Bachchan is the overwhelming favorite of people of Gaza in Israel and Sholay, a film from 1975, is shown several times every year by all the TV channels.
Russians have enjoyed Indian films during the time of the former Soviet Union but Bollywood still rules the heart of many generations.

6. Bollywood in the U.S.
Thanks to exhibitor pioneers like New Jersey's Vijay Shah and California's Shiraz Jivani, Bollywood films are showing up on bigger and snazzier screens from Brooklyn to Berkeley.
More American-themed films are coming out, like “My Name is Khan” and “Tere Bin Laden.”
I saw a Bollywood film in Tulsa. My Name is Khan is available at many movie rental places--- I found it at the local grocery store rental.

7. Bollywood in the U.S.
Bollywood’s influence in American can also be seen in workout videos and dance shows.
Do you buy workout videos with a Bollywood theme? How has Bollywood made it into popular dance shows?

8. Bollywood Music in Other Cultures
Movie-goers often seen the same movie more than once and despite not knowing the language, can sing the songs of their favorite movies.
The photo here is of one of Bollywood’s most famous movies, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge or DDLJ from Wiki: In February 2009, the film set a record by completing 700 weeks of continuous play in Mumbai theatres.[19] On 20 October 2009 the movie completed 15 years of non-stop running.[20] As of 2011, it is still playing at the Maratha Mandir theatre in Mumbai.

9. Bollywood Music in Other Cultures
Hindi songs are learned worldwide thanks to Bollywood films.
The first song is from a recent film, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, starring the mega famous Shahrukh Khan.
The man pictured is a famous Tamil dancer, known more in “Kollywood”, the Tamil film industry. His name is Prabhu Deva and he is said to have inspired Michael Jackson, earning him the title “The Indian Michael Jackson.”
Natalie Di Luccio is Canadian.

10. Bollywood Music in Britain
Because of former British rule in India, there are many Indians in Britain and the Bollywood music culture is popular there.
Bombay Dreams was a Bollywood-themed musical. The London production opened in 2002 and ran for two years. The musical also was produced on Broadway in 2004.
Why do you think the Queen of England chose to see Bombay Dreams?

11. Influences on Bollywood
The dancing style, choreography, and wardrobe for modern music numbers are largely influenced by MTV music videos and American hip-hop, salsa, and pop music.
How has Western culture influenced the Eastern film industry? Interestingly enough, my boyfriend, who is from India, does not like the newer songs that are full of Western influence.
Kites is a film I actually saw in theaters in Tulsa with subtitles. What does this say about the demographics in Tulsa and the demand for Bollywood films? The film took place in Las Vegas and the main character falls in love with a girl from Mexico. The film, in my opinion, was MEANT for Hindi-speaking (or those who can read English subtitles) audiences outside of India.