Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Indian Film Figures Challenge the Derogatory ‘Bollywood’ Label
Some people in India’s Hindi film industry do not like the name “Bollywood.”
They say it sounds as if Indian movies are only a copy of Hollywood movies.
Amitabh Bachchan and other film figures want people to use names such as “Hindi cinema” or “Indian cinema” instead.
They also believe India should value its own film traditions more strongly.
Priyadarshan connects the debate to a continuing desire for Western approval.
Mahesh Bhatt disagrees and says the name does not make a movie better or worse.
Bejoy Nambiar also says the word is not insulting, even though he prefers “Indian film industry.”
The disagreement is ultimately about how Indian cinema describes its own identity.
Amitabh Bachchan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Priyadarshan, Jackie Shroff, and Shabana Azmi criticize the term “Bollywood.”
Some industry figures say the label creates an unfavorable association with Hollywood and diminishes Indian cinema’s individuality.
Several critics favor terms such as “Hindi cinema,” “Indian cinema,” or “Indian film industry.”
Mahesh Bhatt says “Bollywood” is merely convenient shorthand and does not determine a film’s quality.
Bejoy Nambiar accepts the term as widely understood, while preferring “Indian film industry.”
- Who
- Amitabh Bachchan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Priyadarshan, Jackie Shroff, Shabana Azmi, Mahesh Bhatt, Bejoy Nambiar, and other Indian film figures.
- What
- Some prominent Hindi-film figures are seeking or considering action to have “Bollywood” removed from descriptions of Indian cinema, while others defend or accept the term.
- When
- The article does not specify when the proposed representation will be made.
- Where
- The debate concerns India’s Hindi film industry and the term’s inclusion in the Oxford English Dictionary.
- Why
- Critics say “Bollywood” is derivative, linked to Hollywood, and diminishing of Indian cinema; supporters say it is convenient shorthand that does not affect the quality of films.
Critics of the Label
Defenders and Accepters
Whether “Bollywood” is demeaning
Critics of the Label
Amitabh Bachchan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Jackie Shroff, and Shabana Azmi say the term suggests that Indian cinema is a lesser imitation or “poor country cousin” of Hollywood.
Defenders and Accepters
Mahesh Bhatt says the term is only convenient shorthand, while Bejoy Nambiar says it is derivative but not demeaning.
How Indian cinema should be named
Critics of the Label
Critics prefer “Hindi cinema,” “Indian cinema,” or “Indian film industry” and want the “Bollywood” label removed from the cultural lexicon and dictionary descriptions.
Defenders and Accepters
Supporters or accepters argue that the term has become synonymous with the industry and can be used without diminishing it.
Western influence and cultural identity
Critics of the Label
Priyadarshan and other critics say the label reflects a lingering tendency to seek Western approval and to value Hollywood over Indian cinematic traditions.
Defenders and Accepters
Mahesh Bhatt argues that the important issue is whether films have emotional and artistic impact, not what the industry is called.
- Contested term
- “Bollywood”
- Preferred alternatives
- “Hindi cinema,” “Indian cinema,” and “Indian film industry”
- Dictionary involved
- Oxford English Dictionary
- Critics cited
- Amitabh Bachchan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Priyadarshan, Jackie Shroff, and Shabana Azmi
- Defenders or accepters cited
- Mahesh Bhatt and Bejoy Nambiar
- Main criticism
- The label is viewed as a derivative reference to Hollywood that weakens Indian cinema’s distinct identity.
- Origin claim
- Shabana Azmi says the term was coined by Amit Khanna as an inside joke before becoming widely used.