South Asian Popular Cultures (261-0-21)
Topic
The Big B: Amitabh Bachchan & Bollywood Stardom
Instructors
David Sol Boyk
847/467-0936
1880 Campus Drive, Kresge Hall, Office 4-425
Office Hours: varies by quarter, please contact instructor
Meeting Info
Locy Hall 214: Mon, Wed 12:30PM - 1:50PM
Overview of class
AY 22 - 23 THE BIG B: AMITABH BACHCHAN AND BOLLYWOOD STARDOM
The Hindi film industry, often called Bollywood, is famously one of the world's biggest and most recognizable. Every year, the studios in Mumbai (formerly Bombay) put out hundreds of movies, in addition to hundreds more that are released by India's other film industries in languages like Tamil, Telugu, and Bengali. Most of these movies are full of songs and dances, and bring action, comedy, tragedy, and romance together into one (often very complex) story. As the subject of our class has said, Hindi cinema "offers poetic justice in three hours. You walk away with a smile on your lips and dried tears on your cheeks."
Film industries everywhere choose a few actors to elevate above all others. The biggest of these movie stars in India, and perhaps in the world, is Amitabh Bachchan. With his brooding, rebellious charisma, not to mention his ready wit, resonant baritone voice, and enviable dance moves, his "angry young man" persona dominated the films of the 1970s. Today, half a century after his film debut, he is still a major star. His face and voice are instantly recognizable, not only throughout South Asia and its diaspora, but in Africa, the Middle East, and elsewhere. As his characters have aged from youthful rebels to somewhat less youthful rebels to stern patriarchs to goofy old men obsessed with their digestive tracts, he has at times seemed inescapable off the movie screen as well. He has spent time in politics, hosted a wildly successful game show, and starred in children's comic books; one fan has even built a temple to worship him as a literal idol.
In this course, we will focus on Amitabh Bachchan, not only because he and his films are so interesting, but because he has so much to tell us about how Indian films work and what a star is. Students will have opportunities to think and write, not only about Amitabh and his films, but about film and celebrity more broadly.
Learning Objectives
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
- analyze Hindi films, and other elements of South Asian popular culture, in light of cultural, social, and political considerations;
- critically evaluate scholarly work relating to South Asian history and culture;
- work with classmates to produce knowledge collaboratively;
- make cogent and persuasive arguments, orally and in writing, incorporating careful analysis of primary and secondary materials.
Teaching Method
Seminar
Evaluation Method
papers and presentations
Class Materials (Required)
William Elison, Christian Lee Novetzke, and Andy Rotman, Amar Akbar Anthony: Bollywood, Brotherhood, and the Nation (Harvard University Press, 2016, ISBN 9780674504486)
Class Attributes
Literature & Fine Arts Distro Area