Read the passage below, and answer the questions that follow based on your understanding of the passage.
Until the 1940s and even 1950s, Bollywood movies had scripts in the style that Hollywood would have recognized. Some of India’s great film directors worked to scripts, tightly – written scripts, often from plays or novels….. The divide between Hollywood and Bollywood is further deepened by the very different ways these two movie cultures finance their films. Hollywood studios are owned by some of the great Corporations of the world: Sony, Time, Warner, News Corp, Viacom. Even when independent film producers emerge, such as Steven Spielberg, they end up selling out to huge corporations, as Spielberg did with ‘DreamWorks’.
There is no similar Studio System in Bollywood and big Indian Corporations have historically shied away from the film industry. That is slowly changing but it is still light years removed from the ownership of Hollywood studios. Investment in Bollywood movies is still done by small family firms, as if this huge movie industry was in reality a cottage industry. There are Bollywood directors who buck this trend. Benegal himself is one of them. His most recent film was a biographical study of the Indian nationalist, Subhas Bose, a highly controversial subject in India, working to a script which was massively researched and financed by Sahara, a major Indian Company.
But while Benegal is part of modern Bollywood, he represents a distinct minority: a movie – maker who does not make art – house movies that appeal only to a very small intellectual group but which have a much wider Chintele, but yet is very different from the Bollywood blockbusters, with a very firm narrative tradition of telling a story, and telling it well and entertainingly.
Q1. The Hollywood and Bollywood differ in terms of how they:
(A) build their studios
(B) select their stories
(C) incorporate directors
(D) finance their stories
Correct Ans: (D)
Explanation:
Hollywood and Bollywood take very different approaches to financing films. Hollywood studios receive funding from major corporations like Sony, Warner Bros., and Viacom. These companies invest heavily in filmmaking, ensuring large-scale production. Even independent filmmakers eventually collaborate with corporate studios for financial support.
On the other hand, Bollywood follows a different model. Traditionally, small family businesses finance films rather than large corporations. Although some companies, like Sahara, have started investing in Bollywood, the industry still operates mostly on independent funding. Since Bollywood lacks a structured studio system, producers rely on personal investments or small firms.
The financial divide between these industries affects movie production. Hollywood films often have bigger budgets, allowing for high-quality visual effects and global distribution. Meanwhile, Bollywood films, despite having lower budgets, focus on storytelling and mass entertainment. As a result, the difference in financing shapes the overall style and production quality of movies in both industries.
Q2. The Viacom is a Corporation that supports:
(A) The Bollywood directors
(B) The Hollywood films
(C) The individual actors
(D) Shyam Benegal
Correct Ans: (B)
Explanation:
Viacom, a major media corporation, plays a key role in supporting Hollywood films. This company owns some of the biggest entertainment networks, including Paramount Pictures. It provides financial backing for Hollywood movies, ensuring high production value.
Unlike Bollywood, where individual producers and family businesses fund films, Hollywood relies on corporate investment. Viacom helps studios create blockbuster movies that reach international audiences. Since Hollywood depends on structured financing, corporations like Viacom ensure the industry remains competitive worldwide.
Q3. The ownership pattern of films in Bollywood is essentially:
(A) individual
(B) corporate houses
(C) directors guild
(D) family business units
Correct Ans: (D)
Explanation:
Bollywood films are mostly owned and funded by family business units. Unlike Hollywood, which depends on large corporations, Bollywood producers often come from small family-run production houses. These businesses invest in movies as independent financiers rather than part of a structured studio system.
Although some major companies have started financing Bollywood films, traditional family ownership still dominates the industry. Since Bollywood lacks corporate control, individual producers enjoy creative freedom. However, limited financial resources sometimes restrict large-scale productions.
Q4. The narrative tradition in Bollywood film industry is:
(A) telling stories
(B) telling directors about finance
(C) telling how to sell films
(D) networking for business
Correct Ans: (A)
Explanation:
Bollywood films follow a strong tradition of storytelling. The industry focuses on crafting engaging narratives that entertain audiences. Unlike some experimental or art-house films, Bollywood movies aim to tell clear and compelling stories.
Storytelling plays a vital role in Bollywood’s success. Filmmakers ensure their movies include emotions, drama, and music to connect with viewers. Since storytelling remains a priority, Bollywood films continue to attract diverse audiences.
Q5. The similarity between Hollywood and Bollywood film directors is that both:
(A) worked under strict supervision
(B) had no finance
(C) worked on well written scripts
(D) worked only on novels.
Correct Ans: (C)
Explanation:
Despite their differences, both Hollywood and Bollywood directors work on well-written scripts. Many successful filmmakers in both industries base their movies on strong narratives. They often adapt novels, plays, or historical events into their scripts.
Hollywood directors rely on structured screenplays to guide production. Similarly, Bollywood directors like Shyam Benegal create movies with detailed scripts and research. Since both industries value storytelling, directors focus on well-developed plots to make their films successful.
