Bollywood

/ˈbɑliˌwʊd/ proper noun

Definition

the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai, India

Etymology

Portmanteau of 'Bombay' (former name of Mumbai) and 'Hollywood'

Kelly Says

Bollywood is a perfect example of linguistic blending - taking the 'B' from Bombay and mashing it with Hollywood to create something uniquely Indian!

Ethical Language Guidance

Gender History

Bollywood's film industry historically featured limited roles for women as leads, with female performers often subject to exploitation and limited creative control. The term itself became associated with hypersexualized portrayals of women in dance sequences.

Inclusive Usage

Reference Bollywood's evolving landscape; acknowledge female directors, producers, and leads like Nargis, Deepti Naval, and contemporary creators reshaping industry narratives.

Inclusive Alternatives

["Indian cinema","Hindi film industry"]

Empowerment Note

Women like Nargis Dutt and Smita Patil broke barriers as both performers and cultural icons, though their contributions were often credited to male directors and producers.

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