1947-1957
Since we achieved Independence on August 15, even most of the films released in the remaining part of the year must have been planned and shot during British India. From 1948 onwards, we had milestones like the Gemini song-n-dance extravaganza Chandralekha that heralded the entry of Madras (now Chennai) as a major player in Hindi cinema.
Subsequent triumphs included Barsaat, the revolutionary triangle Andaz, the 'ghostly' pioneer Mahal, the hilarious Albela, the blockbuster Awara, the crime thriller C.I.D. that was the first Hindi film to gross a lakh(!), Guru Dutt’s classic Pyaasa, B R Chopra’s progressive Naya Daur, the reformist V Shantaram classic Do Ankhen Barah Haath and of course the biggest hit till then and still a cult film, Mother India.
Major arrivals: RK Films, Navketan, BR Films, Gemini Studios, AVM Studios, B R,Chopra, Vijay Anand, Bimal Roy, Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Raj Kapoor, Shammi Kapoor, Rajendra Kumar, Nutan, Vyjayantimala, Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Mohammed Rafi, Kishore Kumar, Shankar-Jaikishan, O P Nayyar, Sahir, Hasrat Jaipuri, Shailendra
Anthem of the decade: Awara hoon (Awara/ Mukesh)
1958-1967
This was probably the most variegated decade of cinema as content and commerce met in perfect amalgam. Colour arrived, Kashmir became a hot destination for songs and stories, and emerging problems enhanced the need for escapist entertainment.
And so in this decade ruled sugar-coated message films like Dhool Ka Phool, Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai, Haqeeqat, Upkar and Bandini with blockbuster entertainers across multiple genres like Tumsa Nahin Dekha, Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi, Gunga Jamuna, Bees Saal Baad, Junglee (which gave us the term 'Yahoo' 30 years before the 'Net!), Dosti, Jab Jab Phool Khile, Guide, Mere Mehboob, Milan and Ram Aur Shyam.
The biggest blockbuster? The spectacle that was Mughal-E-Azam, of course - even its colorised version in 2004 proved a hit!
Major arrivals: Nasir Husain Films, Prasad Productions, Manmohan Desai, Yash Chopra, Manoj Kumar, Dharmendra, Sanjeev Kumar, Shashi Kapoor, Rajesh Khanna, Amitabh Bachchan, Sadhana, Mumtaz, Sharmila Tagore, Asha Parekh, Saira Banu, Anand Bakshi, Gulzar, Laxmikant-Pyarelal, Kalyanji-Anandji, R D Burman
Anthem of the decade: Yahoo (Junglee/ Mohammed Rafi) and Mere desh ki dharti (Upkar/ Mahendra Kapoor)
1968-1977
The entertainers ruled, but social angst and a growing urge to look beyond Hollywood for inspiration joined to form the new-wave movement. New blood poured in, colour was entrenched and a new work-ethic began to form as budgets zoomed and the star-system reached its zenith. Indian cinema also got its first two media-tagged superstars and trends began to reflect male bonding on the one hand and vendetta and ‘anti-system’ anger.
The biggest blockbuster Sholay led the way along with mega-hits like Aradhana, Do Raaste, Johny Mera Naam, Saccha Jhutha, Haathi Mere Saathi, Mera Gaon Mera Desh, Pakeezah, Victoria No. 203, Seeta Aur Geeta, Daag, Bobby, Roti Kapada Aur Makaan, Deewaar, Jai Santoshi Maa and Amar Akbar Anthony.
On the other side were the superb Anand and offbeat cinema like Ankur, Chhoti Si Baat and other critically-acclaimed films.
Trimurti Films, Prakash Mehra Productiopns, Yash Raj Films, MKD Films, Gulshan Rai, Ramesh Sippy, Basu Chaterjee, Subhash Ghai, Mahesh Bhatt, Hema Malini, Rekha, Zeenat Aman, Dimple Kapadia, Shabana Azmi, Smita Patil, Rishi Kapoor, Naseeruddin Shah, Rajesh Roshan, Bappi Lahiri, Anuradha Paudwal.
Anthem of the decade: Hum tum ek kamre mein band ho (Bobby/Shailendra Singh and Dum maro dum (Hare Rama Hare Krishna/ Asha Bhosle)
1978-1987
Gradually the attention shifted to frontbenchers with the arrival of the video and colour television - and of course cheap cassettes and piracy. Star-sons, political violent dramas and mediocrity ruled.
The giants in all departments began to quit or fade, and many passed away. And yet the scenario was not all dark. Ram Teri Ganga Maili ruled the box-office roost, and we also had Don, Trishul, Muqaddar Ka Sikander, Sargam, Ek Duuje Ke Liye, Love Story, Hero, Nikaah, Himmatwala, Coolie, Masoom, Betaab, Andhaa Kaanoon, Aaj Ki Awaz, Pyar Jhukta Nahin, Nagina, Pratighaat and Mr India.
Major arrivals: Dharma Productions, Mukta Arts, Filmkraft, Rakesh Roshan, K Vishwanath, Shekhar Kapur, Sunny Deol, Sanjay Dutt, Anil Kapoor, Govinda, Sridevi, Madhuri Dixit, Anu Malik, Nadeem-Shravan, Sameer, Javed Akhtar as lyricist, Udit Narayan, Alka Yagnik.
Anthem of the decade: Lambi judaai (Hero/ Reshma)
1988-1997
Hindi cinema faced a revival to romance and melody and filmmakers learnt to co-exist with technology. New blood and trends swamped the industry and the opening up of the economy and globalization made Hindi films expand markets and improve technologically by miles.
The biggest hits were Hum Aapke Hain Koun!... and Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. The other huge hits were Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, Tezaab, Ram Lakhan, Tridev, Maine Pyar Kiya, Chandni, Dil, Ghayal, Saajan, Beta, Aankhen, Baazigar, Khal-Nayak, Karan Arjun, Rangeela, Raja Hindustani and Border.
Major arrivals: Venus, Tips, Vishesh Films, Ram Gopal Varma, Sooraj R Barjatya, Aditya Chopra, Abbas-Mustan, David Dhawan, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai, Rani Mukerji, Kajol, Preity Zinta, A R Rehman, Sonu Nigam.
Anthem of the decade: Ek do teen char (Tezaab/ Alka Yagnik and Ek ladki ko dekha/1942 - A Love Story/ Kumar Sanu)
1998-2007
Hindi films undergo a paradigm shift, battle with blockbusters from Hollywood on their home turf in USA and other overseas regions, and also change in sound, look, content, variety and technique.
Music undergoes a 360-degree change in style and use. Films are recognised as an industry, economics and returns spiral and Hindi cinema - as a part of India Inc. - is set to take on all comers.
Gadar - Ek Prem Katha, the three Rakesh Roshan blockbusters Kaho Naa…Pyaar Hai, Koi…Mil Gaya and Krrish, Dhoom 2, Munnabhai MBBS and Aap ka Suroor are the biggest earners even as the multiplex culture arrives for small, niche films.
Star prices hit the moon, but star-less films too grab eyeballs and earn brownie points and greenbacks. Commercial cinema becomes real, but modest, real cinema too becomes mass-friendly.
Other major hits and memorable experiences include Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Sarfarosh, Biwi No.1, Hera Pheri, Lagaan, Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham…, Murder, Main Hoon Na, No Entry, Rang De Basanti, Vivah, and Lage Raho Munnabhai, with Partner proving the latest blockbuster.
Major arrivals: Karan Johar, Rajkumar Hirani, Hrithik Roshan, Aishwarya Rai, Priyanka Chopra, Himesh Reshammiya, Shreya Ghoshal.
Anthem of the decade: Jhalak dikhla jaa (Aksar/ Himesh Reshammiya and "Dhoom machaa le (Dhoom/ Sunidhi Chauhan and Tata Young).
