This book presents Indian cinema as an institution firmly rooted in contemporary society, shaped by and shaping the political-ideological terrain of independent India.
Constantly moving between theory and detailed analyses, the book discusses the ban on kissing as an symptom of national unity; how the narrative structure of popular film is perpetuated by the Bombay industry's mode of manufacture; how the political crisis during the third decade of independence is reflected in structural transformations and new narrative forms (as in the Bachchan-centred popular film); and the signs of yet another transformation in the nineties. This book will prove to be an absorbing read not only for scholars and students of film theory, cultural studies and political and social theories, but also for all intelligent viewers of Hindi films.
About the Author:
M. Madhava Prasad is a Senior Fellow at the Centre for Study of Culture and Society, Bangalore. He has previously been with the Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, Calcutta, and teaches film studies at Jadavpur University as a visiting lecturer.
Excerpts From Reviews
'Prasad's indefatigable - and at times quite inventive - scrutiny of post-independence Hindi cinema is formidable in its scholarship, focused (almost narrowly so) in setting out its theoretical framework, admirable in its research, acutely original in places, and surprisingly readable.' - Maithili Rao, The Book Review
'...this book offers a challenging new perspective on the production of the Hindi film, breaking genuinely new ground. Brilliant, intriguing, learned, committed - and annoyingly abstruse in parts - one can be certain that the study of Indian popular cinema will not be the same again.' - Patricia Uberoi, The Pioneer
'...Something of a landmark in Indian film studies.' - Ravi Vasudevan, Interventions: International Journal of Postcolonial Studies
For privacy concerns, please view our Privacy Policy
Send as free online greeting card
Email a Friend
Manage Wishlist