Synopsis Indian cinema is now almost synonymous with ‘Bollywood’, both within India and globally. But does this shorthand tell the whole story? Does it encompass the range of India’s cinematic production? Beyond the Boundaries of Bollywood explores forms of Hindi cinema that cannot be termed ‘Bollywood’, including those that predate it, and those that are undeniably discrete from it.

Combining essays and interviews, this volume analyses the many meanings of ‘Bollywood’ by looking at cinema in Bombay (now Mumbai) in the 1920s, the transition to sound, horror films, film songs, and much more. In the process the book addresses issues which are essential to understanding the history of Hindi cinema and film culture. The interviews bring out ideas and reflections on the current situation from key figures including Anurag Kashyap, Bina Paul, and Abhay Deol in the industry. From DVD pricing and its effect on filmmaking to the development of ‘hatke’ cinema and the role of film festivals in shaping popular culture the first-hand insights shed new light on how Hindi cinema and its audiences are always in flux.