The Aesthetics of Escape: Understanding Entertainment in Bollywood Cinema
| Era | Dominant Genre | Entertainment Model | Example Film | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Romantic/Family drama | Emotional unity, diaspora longing | DDLJ (1995) | | 2000s | Diaspora chic | Globalized lifestyles, Western fusion | Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006) | | 2010s | Biopics & social dramas | Real-life inspiration with masala beats | Dangal (2016) | | 2020s | Action-spectacle | High-octane VFX, mythology-infused | Pathaan (2023), Jawan (2023) | desimasala xxx
The current trend (post-pandemic) favors “event cinema”—films that demand to be seen on the big screen with loud sound and crowd energy. Entertainment has become synonymous with a theatrical experience rather than a story. Critics argue that Bollywood’s brand of entertainment is formulaic, misogynistic (item numbers, regressive family politics), and disconnected from reality. For example, the “item number” (a high-energy dance performed by a female star, often unrelated to the plot) is frequently condemned as objectification. For example, the “item number” (a high-energy dance