The Dark History & Evolution Of Film Production In Bollywood

Summary

This video explores the evolution of Bollywood's film financing over the past 50 years, highlighting key changes in production systems and the industry's relationship with crime. It begins with the studio system of the 50s, transitions to the freelance star system in the 60s, and examines the underworld's significant influence in the 70s and 90s. The video concludes with Bollywood’s transformation in the 2000s, as it moved toward legitimate, structured financing through bank loans and corporate involvement, solidifying its position as a thriving, global industry.

Takeaways

• 😀 The 1950s Bollywood film industry was dominated by a studio system with production companies having exclusive long-term contracts with talent and technicians.
• 😀 Financing in the 1950s relied heavily on loans from distributors and profit-sharing models, leading to restrictive contracts for talent and technicians.
• 😀 The 1960s saw the rise of the star system, with freelancers now working across multiple companies, which raised the cost of film production.
• 😀 As production costs increased in the 1960s and 1970s, producers turned to informal sources of financing, such as money lenders and promissory note systems.
• 😀 The 1970s also saw the influence of underworld gangs in Mumbai, resembling the chaos of Chicago in the 1920s, with gangs engaged in smuggling, extortion, and other illegal activities.
• 😀 Mastan, a notorious gangster, was deeply connected to Bollywood in the 1960s and 1970s, with a fascination for the industry, often mingling with celebrities at events.
• 😀 In the 1990s, the underworld’s influence escalated, as actors, producers, and directors were subjected to extortion threats, with notable examples including the assassination attempt on Hrithik Roshan’s father.
• 😀 The 1993 Bombay massacre changed the perception of the underworld, transforming it from street gangs to a violent syndicate with a grip on the film industry.
• 😀 In 2001, the creation of a joint institutional committee allowed Bollywood production companies to adopt corporate structures and gain access to loans from banks, bringing transparency to the industry.
• 😀 The 21st century has seen Bollywood adopt modern financing methods, including self-financing, distribution agreements, music rights sales, bank financing, sponsorships, and co-productions, creating a more legitimate financial ecosystem.

Q & A

What was the primary system of film production in Bollywood during the 1950s?

In the 1950s, the Bollywood film industry was dominated by the studio system, which was an oligopoly of production companies. These companies signed talent and technicians on long-term, exclusive contracts, ensuring they worked solely for the studio.

How did the 1960s impact the structure of Bollywood's workforce?

The 1960s saw the emergence of the star system, where talent and technicians worked on a freelance basis. This allowed them to work on multiple projects produced by different companies, leading to a more flexible workforce and a shift from the restrictive contracts of the 1950s.

What were the major financing challenges faced by Bollywood producers in the 1970s?

In the 1970s, the Bollywood industry faced major financing challenges due to the high costs of film production and the lack of formal recognition by the government. Producers often relied on money lenders and informal financial systems, leading to financial instability and exploitation by the underworld.

What was the role of the underworld in Bollywood financing during the 1970s and 1990s?

In the 1970s, the underworld began to play a significant role in financing films, often through smuggling, extortion, and other illicit means. By the 1990s, the underworld's influence had grown stronger, with notable figures such as the D Company exerting pressure on producers and actors, including extortion demands and violent threats.

How did the 1993 Bombay massacre change the perception of the underworld in the film industry?

The 1993 Bombay massacre marked a turning point, changing the public perception of the underworld. It was no longer seen just as a group of rival gangs but as a violent syndicate with significant control over the film industry, leading to increased fear among filmmakers and actors.

What major shift occurred in film financing starting in 2001?

In 2001, the creation of a joint institutional committee allowed Bollywood film production companies to adopt a corporate structure, which enabled them to access loans from the established banking system. This brought transparency and structure to the industry, shifting it towards a more legitimate financing model.

How did the film financing model in the 21st century differ from the 1970s?

In the 21st century, the film financing model became more organized and legitimate. Producers could now access a variety of financial sources, including bank loans, equity markets, music rights sales, and sponsorships, unlike the 1970s, when films were largely funded through self-financing and money lenders.

What role did successful actors play in film financing in the 21st century?

In the 21st century, successful actors with long careers used their wealth to start their own production companies, innovating in various ways. Many also appointed their relatives or spouses as producers, influencing the structure of film financing in the industry.

Who were some of the notorious figures involved in the underworld’s influence on Bollywood in the 1970s and 1990s?

One of the most notable figures was Mastan, a notorious gangster whose influence in the 60s and 70s extended to Bollywood. His story was popularized in the film 'Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai'. In the 1990s, the D Company, led by Dawood Ibrahim, was responsible for extorting money from filmmakers.

Why is it considered unfair to vilify Bollywood's past involvement with the underworld?

While the underworld's influence on Bollywood in the past cannot be denied, vilifying the industry for this history overlooks the fact that many of the producers and filmmakers have worked hard to distance themselves from such influences in recent years. The industry's transition to a more legitimate financial structure has made it more organized and transparent.