CUET UG 2026 · Unit VI

Cinema

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Indian Parallel Cinema

This entry is part 5 of 5 in the series CUET UG Cinema

Indian Parallel Cinema: Introduction “Indian Parallel Cinema,” also known as “Indian New Wave Cinema” and “Alternative Cinema,” is a film movement that gained prominence in the 1950s in the state of West Bengal, India. At that time, commercial films were more popular and known for being melodramatic, with excessive glamour and many songs and dances far from reality. On the other hand, Parallel Cinema revolutionized Indian cinema by emphasizing realistic storytelling, which is intellectually stimulating and engaging, with minimal use of music and glamour. However, parallel cinema never really had mass appeal. It was meant for a niche; only a certain section of the audience would be interested in this kind of cinema. The topics explored in these films were issue-based and derived from the nation’s sociopolitical and socioeconomic milieu. Indian parallel cinema explored issues like casteism in society and the position of women and their objectification, as well as subjugation by males or by the patriarchal structure of society.

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Hindi Cinema and Social Change

This entry is part 4 of 5 in the series CUET UG Cinema

Cinema and Social Change As an art form, cinema has always been like a mirror that shows society’s complexities, struggles, accomplishments, and changes. Throughout history, various art forms have played pivotal roles in social movements and revolutions. Before the advent of cinema, passionate literature and poetry were instrumental in stirring emotions and mobilizing people toward change. With the emergence of cinema, a new, powerful medium of expression and entertainment emerged, capable of reaching wide audiences and profoundly impacting societal norms and values. This article explores the intricate relationship between cinema and social change, focusing on Hindi cinema. It examines how cinema can start conversations, make people more aware, and lead to societal changes. The Power of Storytelling At its core, cinema is all about storytelling, allowing filmmakers to weave narratives capturing the human experience and addressing social issues. When viewers connect with characters dealing with these issues on screen, they become more empathetic and informed about the real-life challenges others

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A Comprehensive Guide to Genres of Films

This entry is part 3 of 5 in the series CUET UG Cinema

Genres of Films A genre is a category of writing, music, or any other art form with a particular style, form, or content. In simple words, the genre is a way to classify any form of art into more or less similar kinds of categories. The concept of the genre began during the Hollywood studio period, i.e., in the 1920s. The film genre is the simplest way to categorize different styles, stories, and content. Genres help filmmakers identify and make decisions about their films, and they help audiences understand the film’s style and plot. As many people only watch selective films of some specific style they like, categorizing films into genres helps the audience find a film according to their likes and dislikes that they would be interested in watching. Nowadays, we also see a variety of genres while browsing through different OTT platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+ Hotstar, which provide us a rough idea of the film’s

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Pioneers of Cinema: Knowing Legendary Filmmakers

This entry is part 2 of 5 in the series CUET UG Cinema

Pioneers of Cinema This article explores the pioneers of cinema, the filmmakers who established the foundation for the modern cinematic landscape. They introduced groundbreaking inventions, visionary storytelling, and innovative techniques in filmmaking that have continued to motivate and influence filmmakers worldwide. The creativity and ingenuity of these visionaries, from the Lumière brothers’ invention of the motion picture camera to John Grierson and Robert Flaherty’s documentary filmmaking and Dada Saheb Phalke’s contributions to the art of filmmaking, are commendable. Auguste and Louis Lumière The Lumière brothers, Auguste and Louis, are widely recognized as the pioneers of cinema. They are credited with revolutionizing the art form and laying the foundation for modern filmmaking. Born in France during the mid-19th century, the Lumière brothers were innovative inventors and entrepreneurs who made significant contributions to the development of cinema. Their most notable achievement came in 1895, when they invented the Cinématographe, a motion picture camera and projector that could capture, process, and project moving

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Exploring the Fascinating History of Cinema

This entry is part 1 of 5 in the series CUET UG Cinema

History of Cinema: Introduction ‘Cinema’ is derived from the French word ‘cinématographe,’ which means ‘motion picture projector and camera.’ The Lumiere brothers, credited with inventing the art form, coined the term in the 1890s. Since then, we have come a long way in capturing and viewing motion pictures. We have witnessed a significant evolution in this field, from the Lumière brothers’ early motion-picture camera and projector called the ‘Cinématographe’ to filming short films on our cell phones, emailing those films to our friends, and projecting them on our TV. Cinema is also known as the filmmaking process or the facility where films are shown. “Theater” is similar to “cinema”; it can mean the facility where movies are shown or, more generally, the industry of live performances (i.e., plays, musicals, etc.). Movies are a shortened form of a moving picture in the cinematographic sense. Film is a medium used to record motion pictures. Films are more than flashing images on the

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