The Cinema of India: Synonym to Entertainment

Of all the ways of entertainment, cinema is no doubt the best. Film is a language that the cinema-maker uses to express his emotions to the world. Cinemas started in the mid-19th century and spread throughout the world by the 20th century in Charlie Chaplin era of black and white silent films. In India too, the cinema began with silent film during the British Raj in the early 20th century.

The first Indian film released in India was Shree Pundalik, a silent film in Marathi by Dadasaheb Torne on 18 May 1912 at Coronation Cinematograph, Bombay. And then there was no looking back. Today, the number of films produced and watched in India are far more than any other part of the world. That in India movies are made in over 20 languages is another milestone!

People who have influenced the Indian film industry are mostly the Khans and Punjabi personalities. And with changing times, the Indian cinema has set its feet in many other parts of the world. As migration took place from time to time, people from India took with them the rich culture of India. In fact, a Punjabi in Canada watches more of Indian or Punjabi movie than Hollywood. People like Daljit Thind, no doubt a global Punjabi, has taken Punjabi cinema beyond borders. His recently released Munda Faridkotia, a comedy drama is a step to bring India and Pakistan closer.

Where earlier just a few themes were showcased in Indian movies, we today to watch a variety of themes, complimenting and conflicting with many human emotions. Movies like Rang De Basanti, 3 Idiots, Mother India, Gangs of Wasseypur, The Lunchbox, Uri - The Surgical Strike, Andhadhun, Kahaani have certainly changed the way filmmakers in the olden time thought.