|
|
|
|
|
| Bollywood Tours |
| |
|
Indian obsession with Bollywood. The glitz, them glam, the masala movie, the melodrama and the aspirational lifestyles portrayed on screen took the masses by storm several decades ago and the craze is only getting stronger.
Fuelled by the obsession to 'reach for the stars', it seems it's almost every Indian's ambition to take a Bollywood tour, even if it means only a peep at the actors' homes from the outside.
Well, much of the action takes place on the sets of studios, where a large percentage of films are shot. Undoubtedly, the place to visit is Filmcity in Goregaon. Located in the lush green environs where more than 40 film studios are located.
But how do Indian studios and Filmcity compare to those in Hollywood, world-class facilities such as paramount Studio, Universal Studio and Sony Pictures (which bought the historic MGM studio).
Unlike in Hollywood, studios in Mumbai are not open to the public for a Bollywood tour and the most one can hope to see are the gates. It's strictly No Entry! But there's one Bollywood tour package launched as recently as 2010 that has secured permission to take NRI and foreign tourists inside. Finally! So for the first time, tourists will get an exclusive look at the inside of the Bollywood dream factory - where those notoriously melodramatic dream sequences are shot, where those hip-swinging love songs are enacted, where crocodile tears are shed over imaginary tragedies, and where the gods decide the fate of mere celluloid mortals.
There's another phenomenon fast unfolding - the globalisaiton of Indian cinema, making it popular among other ethnic groups as well. Admittedly, it's recent but films like the Shah Rukh Khan starrer My Name Is Khan, Aamir Khan starrer 3 Idiots and the Hrithik Roshan-Barbara Mori starrer Kites are designed to connect with an international audience.
There's the tried and tested outsourcing route. India is on the cutting edge of technology in various fields and some of the film studios in Mumbai have the best to offer in terms of production and post-production facilities.
Some of Hollywood's biggest blockbusters have used studios in Mumbai and Bangalore for animation and special effects including one of the largest-grossing movies of all time - Avatar.
Also, studios like N D Studio are offering on-location space to Hollywood producers and studios to shoot here, which means bits and pieces of Hollywood productions could be filmed in and on the outskirts of Mumbai. Using these opportunities as a calling card, the time is ripe for a structured Bollywood tour package that would take foreigners inside Mumbai's fast globalising dream factory. |
| |
| Contact For Bollywood Tours |
|
|
| Bollywood Studio Tours in Mumbai |
| |
They call it the 'world's largest dream' factory, a reference to the 1,000-odd films literally churned out by the Hindi film industry every year. And though films are shot both on location and on indoor sets, it's a visit to Bollywood studios in Mumbai that brings home the true essence of the typical Hindi film and television serial.
R K Studio:
There are many state-of-the-art Bollywood production houses in Mumbai, most of them family-run businesses. One of the oldest is R K Studio in suburban Chembur, opened by the legendary Raj Kapoor in 1951, it was here that the iconic filmmaker and actor shot some of his landmark films and gave the Hindi film industry some of its pioneering techniques.
The studio, still owned by the Kapoors - also known as the first family of Bollywood - is a must-see on any Bollywood studio tour.
BIG N D Studio:
Another must-do Bollywood studio visit is a halt at BIG N D Studio, by far the largest studio property in Mumbai. Opened in 2005 by art director Nitin Desai, this studio is arguably home to the "longest studio floor space in Asia".
BIG N D Studio is located on the outskirts of Mumbai and makes for an excellent half-day outing. The drive to Karjat, where the property is situated, is a soothing 90 minutes away from the hustle and bustle of the metro, once you turn off the highway and leave the city.
Apart from its sheer size - 42 acres - what sets it apart from other Bollywood studios in Mumbai? Well, once dressed up by expert art and set designers, the property can masquerades as a wide range of locales, from India to Singapore, the Swiss Alps to the English countryside. Imagine the cost-savings for filmmakers!
BIG N D Studio is indeed an experience for the tourist keen to sample exactly how those dramatic sequences in a Hindi film are shot. Behold the Jodhaa Akbar set and be wowed. This once, like a few other 'permanent' sets here, was constructed for a movie by the same name and it recreates the grandeur of the Red Fort (Delhi), Agra Fort (Agra) and Amer Palace (Jaipur), all of them built to scale!
Enter 'Bombay Street' and you're suddenly caught in a time warp. This is a typical street in the heart of Old Mumbai, where the houses are choc-a-bloc, tiny shops selling all sorts of goods and kitsch cram the streets, homely Irani-style cafes beckon, and a colonial-style traffic signal stops you dead in your tracks.
Like any premier Bollywood production house in Mumbai, BIG N D Studios offers the full range of post-production facilities, making it a one-stop shop for filmmakers. And with the property offering chalets to actors, the stars can live here during extended shoots rather than brave the daily commute from and back to Mumbai.
Some stars have found a way, albeit expensive, to beat the crowds. The studio has a helipad that is "frequently used" by the glitterati who need to jet set back to the city after the day is done.
Considering the size and range of facilities at BIG N D Studios, tourists get a panoramic view of how a typical Bollywood film is shot and processed under one roof. If you're lucky, you might even catch some shooting action as well!
Filmcity:
Shift venue to Filmcity in suburban Goregaon, Mumbai, and you're transported to a very different world of film-making. Also called Filmstan, you're in the middle of a green oasis - 1,287 hectares of forested land - also called Aarey Milk Colony after the government-owned dairy situated here.
Set up in 1949, Aarey is also a popular tourist spot and includes lakes, gardens, a nursery and an observation pavilion atop a small 'hill'. The state government runs a school and a hospital on the property for the benefit of dairy workers. The government has also leased plots to various state and central government organisations and institutions in this no-development zone.
Balaji Telefilms:
Among these leased plots are many film studios on the list of any Bollywood studio tour. So amid the mooing of cattle - there are 16,000 heads of cattle reared on 32 cattle farms at Aarey - step into the studios of Balaji Telefilms.
Affectionately dubbed Mumbai's 'largest soap factory', Balaji Telefilms is a production house that churns out the largest number of TV serials, reality shows and, most importantly, TV soaps in the country.
Set up in 1994 by Jeetendra, Bollywood star of yesteryear, Balaji Telefilms is noted mainly for the creative talent of the actor's daughter, Ekta Kapoor. The success of the production house lies in Kapoor's uncanny ability to create serials that connect with the soul of various sections of the Great Indian Middle Class, whether mythological serials, cultural extravaganzas or sheer family and romantic dramas.
Yes, when you think of the quintessential melodramatic Indian TV soap, think Bajali Telefilms. Taking a Bollywood studio tour of one of the sets here is a precious experience. Sheer drama fills the air as the actors play their parts on sets of brocade, walls with loud colours and plush furniture meant to lend an aspirational touch.
Walk into another set and you're in the living room of a feudal landlord, the mythological era of the Mahabharata or a 21st century love story of star-crossed lovers. When it comes to the Indian soap opera, Balaji Telefilms leads the way.
A household name for 16 years, Balaji Telefilms is known for its K-serials - yes, every serial began with the letter 'K', Though the management denies any numerological connection, the fact is that numerology and superstition play a significant role in Mumbai's Tinsel Town - both film and television.
Whistling Woods:
Also located at Aarey is Asia's largest film, television, animation and media arts institute or Whistling Woods International. Promoted by celebrated producer Subhash Ghai, also known as 'The Showman', Mukta Arts Ltd and Filmcity, Whistling Woods International is a premier film and television educational academy.
The institute, situated on a generous 20-acre campus, offers various courses for students looking to make a career in the highly technical and highly competitive world of film and television.
So if it's a day of drama you're looking for, a Bollywood studios visit is the perfect choice. We, at Bollywood Toursim, offer a guided tour and give you an exclusive peek into a fantasy world that 1.5 billion Indians and millions of fans overseas are crazy about. It's easy. Just log in and sign up. Or call us for a day of excitement and fun! |
| Get a Quote |
| |
| Bollywood Dance Magic |
| |
It's one of the most quintessential elements of a Bollywood flick - the classic Bollywood dance number. Music is the soul of all Hindi films and when put to those classic Bollywood dance steps, you've got one of the most distinctive and unique elements that virtually characterises Indian cinema.
Say 'Bollywood dance' and the first thing that springs to mind is a hugely hilarious, series of energetic of robotic yet seductive motions picturised around, believe it or not, a tree!
In fact, there was a time when 'the tree' seemed to take centrestage, back in the '70s and '80s, leaving producers wondering whether to create special in the credits for its special contribution' to the entertainment quotient of a Hindi film.
OK, we're just kidding. Did we forget to mention that the lion's share are dance sequences about love? Sigh. The Bollywood romantic dance number has thus been the cornerstone of the Hindi film since the first talkies were made. Back in the day, as the hero and heroine swore undying love in song, they wandered and hid behind trees and shrubs while stealing longing glances at each other.
Every time the camera panned to shots of foliage and birds, it suggested 'activities' that the censors might disapprove! Adding to the element of hilarity was the magical way in which the hero and heroine changed costumes from one sequence to another, leaving the audience is bewilderment.
Today, shrubs and trees have been replaced by exotic locations and the camera rarely pans to irrelevant elements in the surroundings. At least not till the full-on liplock made its appearance in the Bollywood dance number a few years ago.
Yes, Bollywood dance moves have a character all their own. Whether performed against the backdrop of the countryside, in a discotheque, at home, on the streets or at a wedding celebration, they are awfully stylised and elaborate. These dance moves are a blend of various styles, ranging from belly-dancing, Kathak, Indian folk, Western popular, even Western erotic dancing.
Over the decades, Bollywood dance moves, which often have a bevy of background dancers to enhance the element of drama, have gained international appeal. Tied closely to politics, the Bollywood dance number was initially popular beyond India's shores in countries such as the former Soviet Union and the Middle East.
Later, as the Indian diaspora spread far and wide and economics and politics widened the scope of entertainment, Bollywood song and dance began to seduce audiences in the US and the UK and, later, pockets in other countries as well. Such is its appeal today that that there are numerous dance schools abroad that teach Bollywood dance moves to enthusiastic youngsters.
But just why is dance is such an integral element of Hindi films? The fact is that Indian, nay, South Asian, culture embraces theatre, music and dance as a single cohesive element rather than as mutually exclusive entities.
Historically, just like Hindi film, or any type of cinema evolved and changed over the decades, so has Bollywood dance. Before the 1960s, song and dance in Hindi films drew heavily on classical and folk dance. Since neither of these two genres was a homogenous entity, there were countless variations, setting the tone for the energy and colour of those signature Bollywood dance moves.
This meant that films in Southern India were strongly influenced by Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi while Hindi films or Bollywood dance numbers were strongly laced with Kathak or mujra dances associated with courtesans. Look closely and you'll still notice elements of this pre-'60s Bollywood dance style in current moves which have adapted them to suit the times.
But just in case you're wondering whether it's all about those crazy gyrations, flailing limbs, head and neck mania - all of them all at once - stop right there! Those are just the moves. It's costumes that maketh the other half the quintessential Bollywood dance number.
The classic Bollywood song and dance is by definition theatrical and dramatic. So elaborate costumes are a natural corollary. They determine the look and feel of the dance, and depending on the context, they compliment and embellish the moves.
Costumes in songs in a period film would therefore have flowing fabric sparkling with sequins and jewellery; Bollywood dance numbers with a wedding backdrop - a favourite - would likewise sport elaborate attire; a dream sequence would have a surreal feel to the costumes; the regular romantic number would need little more than everyday attire; while a disco number would have plenty of leather and vinyl.
Again, contrast movie costumes of today with those dating back a few decades and all you saw then was the traditional Indian sari in most sequences. Also, costumes that adorn Bollywood dance numbers reflect current fashion trends, making it easy to identify the era even if the audio is turned down.
In a nutshell, while the Bollywood numbers once focused on lyrical style, they are now elaborately choreographed interludes and mega-performances. In fact, Bollywood is unique in the special place choreographers occupy in the Hindi film industry.
The reason why Bollywood places so much emphasis on shaking a leg is that drama and entertainment are the sole purpose of Hindi films. And to gauge just how important dance moves are in Bollywood, consider this: there was a time when an aspiring female star had little hope of making it to the big screen if she couldn't dance.
And get this. Some Bollywood films today have broken out of the classic mould and have made a mark with nary a song or dance sequence in them. But sometimes, for these movies, the producer may shoot a Bollywood dance sequence even if only to introduce the cast at the beginning of the film. Others have their promos woven around a dance number just to add entertainment value.
You see, the Indian audience has been bred on classic Bollywood dance moves. How can a producer take away the staple of the audience and still make a hit? |
| Contact For Bollywood Dance Magic |
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Home | Fixed Departures | General Info |About Us | Photo Gallery | Safety & Security | Privacy and Policy | Terms & Conditions | Contact Us |Testimonials |Sitemap |
| |
|
|
