Producing Bollywood

Producing Bollywood examines the inner workings of Hindi film production through extensive fieldwork and interviews with industry professionals in Mumbai. The book analyzes how filmmakers navigate commercial, creative, and logistical challenges in India's largest film industry. Drawing from research conducted between 1996-2010, the text documents transformations in financing, technology, and production practices that reshaped Bollywood during a period of rapid change. The author provides detailed accounts of pre-production meetings, on-set dynamics, and post-production processes while exploring how globalization has impacted the industry. Through analysis of production culture, business practices, and professional discourses, the book reveals how Hindi filmmakers balance artistic aspirations with market demands. The text demonstrates how cultural hierarchies, class distinctions, and notions of taste influence creative and commercial decision-making in Bollywood. The work contributes to broader conversations about cultural production, creative industries, and media globalization by examining how economic and social forces shape artistic practices in India's commercial film sector. The ethnographic approach yields insights into the complex relationships between art, commerce, and culture in contemporary media industries.

Readers appreciate Ganti's insider access and detailed ethnographic research into Bollywood's production culture. Multiple reviewers note the book's thorough examination of how Hindi filmmakers view their audiences and make creative decisions. Readers highlight: - Clear explanations of industry economics and business practices - Strong analysis of class dynamics between filmmakers and audiences - Rich interview material with producers and directors Common critiques: - Dense academic writing style can be difficult to follow - Some sections feel repetitive - Limited coverage of post-2000s industry changes Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (12 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (4 ratings) One academic reviewer on Goodreads praised the "fascinating insights into how Hindi filmmakers imagine their audiences," while another reader found the "theoretical framework sometimes overshadows the ethnographic material." A film student noted the book works better as a research reference than a cover-to-cover read.

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📽️ During her research, Ganti spent over 10 years conducting fieldwork in Mumbai's film industry, interviewing more than 100 film industry professionals. 🎬 The term "Bollywood" was initially resisted by many Indian filmmakers who felt it implied their industry was merely imitating Hollywood. 💸 The book reveals how the liberalization of India's economy in the 1990s transformed Bollywood from a primarily domestic industry to a global entertainment business. 🎭 Ganti explores how filmmakers navigate between creating "clean" family-friendly content while still addressing social issues - a balance crucial for commercial success in India. 🌏 The author documents how Bollywood producers began targeting non-resident Indians (NRIs) as a key audience in the 1990s, leading to significant changes in film themes and storytelling styles.