Bollywood has never been a monolith. It has always existed in conversation with "Parallel Cinema"—a movement characterized by realistic, socially conscious storytelling (think of the works of Satyajit Ray or Shyam Benegal).
Bollywood is deeply interwoven with the fabric of Indian life, serving as a mirror to societal changes and a primary driver of national identity. Bollywood | Film | Research Starters - EBSCO masala mms video
Coined by film scholar Anil Kapoor (not the actor), masala (spice mix) is the blending of multiple genres in one film: Bollywood has never been a monolith