Did you know that there is controversy surrounding the term ‘Bollywood’? While some credit Bevinda Collaco for coining the term, others attribute it to Amit Khanna. However, some of the top stars of the Hindi film industry have disapproved of the term. Learn more about the origin of Bollywood and the controversy surrounding it in our latest post.”
Continuing the discussion on the origin of Bollywood, it is interesting to note that the term “Bollywood” has been a subject of controversy for several years. Although some people credit filmmaker Bevinda Collaco with coining the term in the 1970s, others argue that the name actually emerged in the 1990s.
Regardless of who actually came up with the term, it is clear that not everyone in the Indian film industry is a fan of the name “Bollywood”. In fact, some of the biggest stars in Hindi cinema, including Amitabh Bachchan, Naseeruddin Shah, Salman Khan, and Ranbir Kapoor, have spoken out against the term.
Amitabh Bachchan, one of the most iconic actors in Bollywood history, has been particularly vocal in his disapproval of the name. In an interview, he said, “I don’t like the word ‘Bollywood’. It’s a copy of Hollywood. We are the Indian film industry.”
Naseeruddin Shah, another legendary Bollywood actor, has also criticized the name, saying, “It’s a demeaning and derogatory term. It suggests that we are just a poor cousin of Hollywood.”
Even younger actors like Salman Khan and Ranbir Kapoor have expressed their dislike for the name “Bollywood”. In an interview, Salman Khan said, “We are the Indian film industry. Why do we need to be called ‘Bollywood’?” Similarly, Ranbir Kapoor has said, “I don’t like the term ‘Bollywood’. It doesn’t represent what we stand for.”
Despite the criticism, the term “Bollywood” has become widely accepted and is now used not just in India, but around the world. Whether or not people like the name, there is no denying the immense impact that the Indian film industry has had on global cinema, and the role that Bollywood has played in shaping popular culture. – @iambollywoodbaba
Photo Courtesy – Cine Blitz Magazine