One hundred years after the screening of a black-and-white silent film, India’s brash, song-and-dance-laden Bollywood film industry celebrates its centenary later this week. The milestone will be marked with the release of ‘Bombay Talkies’, made up of short commemorative films by four leading directors, while India will be honored as ‘guest country’ at next month’s Cannes festival.
Exhibitions in the capital New Delhi are showcasing a century of cinema. It is also a time for reflection on how the industry has evolved, from its early screen adaptations of Hindu mythology to the garish romantic escapism of modern blockbusters.
