Definition of a Bollywood film?

Bollywood is synonymous to Hindi film industry but if we really get into that definition then it's not at all true. The language we speak or use in films is not even pure Hindi. It's a mixture of different languages, mainly Hindi, English and Urdu.

So how can we say that Bollywood makes films in Hindi language?

Even if we are not that rigid in our definition, then also there are films like Delhi Belly or Finding Fanny which were sold as Bollywood films but were originally made in English language.

Ship of Theseus had half of it's dialogues in English, Queen had half of it's dialogues in French, Chennai Express had half of it's dialogues in Tamil, with no subtitles.

Keeping aside the problem of language, can OTT films made in any Indian language even be considered Indian films? Those movies are not passed by Indian censor board. They don't release in theaters. It's a different medium of entertainment like television.

Did we ever considered direct-to-DVD or television films the same as the films which released in theaters? Then how could OTT films get this special treatment and get nominated by Bollywood award shows in the same category as movies released in theaters?

If that's the case, can we now even call a more than one hour long homemade sex tape starring Indian actors as a Bollywood movie?

Hindi Film

Song and Dance film

I don't think Ship of Theseus is seen as a Hindi film . I don't think of it as one anyway. The photography was just great. Especially in the part about the Jain monk.

The homemade sex tape would be a Bollywood movie if the woman is wearing chiffon and they're having sex on the Alps with Alka Yagnik screeching in the background. Otherwise it's just parallel cinema.

Originally posted by: TrollikaDevi

I don't think Ship of Theseus is seen as a Hindi film . I don't think of it as one anyway. The photography was just great. Especially in the part about the Jain monk.

The homemade sex tape would be a Bollywood movie if the woman is wearing chiffon and they're having sex on the Alps with Alka Yagnik screeching in the background. Otherwise it's just parallel cinema.

Ship of Theseus won National award for best feature film, and it wasn't made in any other Indian language apart from Hindi. Same with Queen.

Originally posted by: AwaamKiJaan

Ship of Theseus won National award for best feature film, and it wasn't made in any other Indian language apart from Hindi. Same with Queen.

Well ,films in all kinds of languages get the National Award but I get what you mean. You're right ; 'Hindi film' can be a misnomer in some cases. You raise some very interesting points .