Hindi cinema, often known as Bollywood and formerly as Bombay cinema, is the Indian Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai (formerly Bombay). The term is a portmanteau of “Bombay” and “Hollywood”.
The industry is related to Cinema of South India and other Indian film industries, making up Indian Cinema — the world’s largest by number of feature films produced.
Perhaps Bollywood’s greatest influence has been on India’s national identity, where (with the rest of Indian cinema) it has become part of the ‘Indian story.’ In India, Bollywood is often associated with India’s national identity.
Bollywood employs people from throughout India. It attracts thousands of aspiring actors hoping for a break in the industry. Models and beauty contestants, television actors, stage actors and ordinary people come to Mumbai with the hope of becoming a star.