Introduction to Indian Cinema

Paper Code: 
25CJMC203
Credits: 
4
Contact Hours: 
60.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

Course Objectives

 

This course will enable the students to gain a comprehensive understanding of the evolution of Indian cinema from its inception to the present, exploring its historical milestones, diverse genres, regional variations, and global influences, while analysing contemporary trends and the representation of marginalized communities.

Course Outcomes: 

Course Outcomes (COs):

Course

Learning outcome

(at course level)

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies 

Course Code

Course

title

25CJMC203

Introduction to Indian Cinema

(Theory)

CO73: Understand the historical development and evolution of Indian cinema.

CO74: Critically evaluate the studio system along with the exploration of various genres.

CO75: Assess the artistic achievements and cultural representations within regional cinema.

CO76: Critically examine the evolution of Bollywood into a global phenomenon and contemporary trends of Indian filmmaking.

CO77: Analyse the cross-cultural influences of diaspora and world film movements on Indian cinema.

CO78: Contribute effectively in course-specific interaction.

Approach in teaching: 

Interactive Lectures, Discussion, Tutorials, Reading assignments, Demonstration

Learning activities for the students: 

Self-learning assignments,  Simulation, Seminar presentation, Film analysis

Class test Semester end examinations Quiz Assignment Presentation, and Individual projects

 

12.00
Unit I: 
Foundations of Indian Cinema

  • Birth of visual storytelling

  • History of Indian cinema

  • Pre-independence Indian films

  • Silent era

  • Advent of talkies

  • Sound and music in Indian cinema

12.00
Unit II: 
Golden Era and Cultural Renaissance

  • Golden age of Indian cinema

  • Influence of Indian mythology and folklore

  • Post-independence Indian films

  • Studio system

  • Themes and genres: western, dacoits, action, pauranic/epical, fantasy, horror, thriller, family, melodrama and romantic

12.00
Unit III: 
Artistic Movements and Regional Diversity

  • Parallel cinema movement

  • Birth of regional cinema

  • Cinema of South India

  • Bengali cinema

  • Marathi cinema

  • Punjabi cinema

  • Gujarati cinema

  • Rajasthani cinema

12.00
Unit IV: 
Cultural Shifts and Globalisation

  • Evolution of Bollywood as a global phenomenon

  • Globalisation and Indian cinema

  • Indian cinema in the 21st Century

  • Third cinema

  • Contemporary trends and challenges

12.00
Unit V: 
Diversity and Diaspora

  • Independent cinema and digital platforms

  • Impact of diaspora on Indian filmmaking

  • Italian Neo-realism, French poetic realism, American new Hollywood, Japanese Cinema: Cross-cultural Influences

  • Representation of women, LGBTQ+ communities, and marginalised groups

Essential Readings: 

Essential Readings:

 

  • Bose, M. (2006). Bollywood: A History. The History Press Ltd.

  • Desai, J. (2003). Beyond Bollywood: The Cultural Politics of South Asian Diasporic Film. Routledge. 

  • Garga, B. D. (2005). Art Of Cinema: An Insider's Journey Through Fifty Years of Film History. Viking.

  • Kavoori, A. P. (Ed.), & Punathambekar, A. (Ed.). (2008). Global Bollywood. New York University Press.

  • Virdi, J. (2003). The Cinematic ImagiNation: Indian Popular Films as Social History. Rutgers University Press.

  • Virdi, J. (2015). Films and Feminism: Essays in Indian Cinema (Second Edition). Rawat Pubns.

  • Viswamohan, A. I., & John, V. M. (2017). Behind the Scenes. SAGE Publications India Private Limited.

References: 

Suggested Readings:

 

  • Dwyer, R. (2019). The History of Indian Cinema. Oxford University Press.

  • Rajadhyaksha, A. (2019). Indian Cinema: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press.

  • Gangar, A. (2005). Golden Age of Indian Cinema: The Essential Guide. HarperCollins India.

  • Raghavendra, M. K. (2018). Themes and Genres in Indian Cinema. HarperCollins India.

  • Mishra, V. (2019). Indian Mythology in Indian Cinema. Oxford University Press.

  • Bhargava, A. (2018). Parallel Cinema: The Reel Revolution. HarperCollins India.

  • Gokulsing, K. M. (2012). Regional Cinema in India: A Critical History. SAGE Publications India.

  • Narwekar, S. (2012). Marathi Cinema: In Retrospect. Popular Prakashan.

  • Khalra, J. S. (2012). Punjabi Cinema: From Mehra to Rangroot. Rupa Publications India.

  • Baskaran, S. T. (2012). Cinema of South India. Oxford University Press India.

  • Mehta, R. B. (2013). Bollywood and Globalization: Indian Popular Cinema, Nation, and Diaspora. Anthem Press.

  • Gabriel, T. H. (2019). Third Cinema in the Third World: The Aesthetics of Liberation. University of Michigan Press.

  • Ganti, T. (2004). Bollywood: A Guidebook to Popular Hindi Cinema. Routledge.

  • Cooper, D. (2015). Representation and Reality in Bollywood Films. Routledge.

 

E-Resources:

 

Academic Year: 
2025-2026
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