A movie that brought in the action film era.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Of the 80 Bollywood films released in 1975, barely 15 or 30 reflected the hopes, fears and complexities of the time the society was grappling with. Yet, it is considered a landmark year — an evocative and richly layered transformative year in cinema. But can just one calendar year mirror the socio-political and emotional pulse of a changing India? Did the ‘angry young man’ reflect the post-emergency disillusionment of that time? Did the stories succeed in depicting the harsh realities of life on screen?
Pratik Majumdar’s book
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
Published by Hachette, the book — 1975: The Year That Transformed Bollywood — by Pratik Majumdar, makes for an insightful read for film buffs, historians and anyone curious about the intersection of art, society and cultural evolution. This period marked a dark chapter in the country’s democratic history. The Emergency had far-reaching impacts on all aspects of the society — including cinema. The book not only reaffirms the significance of the tumultuous year but also nudges the reader to appreciate and explore the kind of cinema that left a lasting legacy. For cinema, the year was a blessing in disguise.
From Aandhi, which was banned during Emergency due to its perceived similarities to former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s life
| Photo Credit:
The Hindu Archives
A music enthusiast and a passionate cinephile, Pratik, contends that 1975 was a turning point in the film-making era that reflected the complexities and hopes of an entire generation. He also takes the reader back in time when Bollywood was bold, beautiful and brimming with unforgettable stories. Each of the 30 films have been explored for their narrative strengths and distinct treatment by the directors. From ground-breaking blockbusters to nuanced dramas, directors showcased their creative prowess to have a lasting impact. 1975: The year that transformed Bollywood opens a window to an era where everydialogue echoed across time and every frame was musically steeped in passion.
From Shyam Benegal Nishant. 1975 was a landmark year for parallel cinema too.
| Photo Credit:
The Hindu Archives
The year 1975 was also marked with rich stories, courageous scripts and unforgettable artistry. A powerful line-up of films — Sholay, Deewaar, Chupke Chupke, Julie, Aandhi, Nishant — justifies this as a landmark year with its storytelling, genre fusion and marketing. The year also brought a remarkable cinematic spectrum by achieving a beautiful balance between commercial hits and artistic milestones. What sets this book apart is its attention to the lesser-discussed but equally vital parallel cinema — Nishant, Aandhi and Mausam. The author presents the industry’s willingness to grapple with the uncomfortable truths — political disillusionment, patriarchal oppression or emotional vulnerability — with his scholarly insights.
Five decades later, many stories of that year still hold relevance. The year 1975 will forever be celebrated for its landmark films, variety and experimentation. In terms of sheer diversity and creative output, the year not only rejuvenated storytelling, but created space to experiment to suit the evolving tastes of the audience. Perhaps, the greatest testament to the year under reference is that it brought leading actors closer to its audience.
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Published – October 14, 2025 06:05 pm IST
