Movie Muse

Local Reels, Global Echoes: Cinema, Nostalgia, and Belonging

When I first arrived in Perth, I used to wonder why Thinlay and Gopi were so eager to watch Bollywood movies when Australia offered such an endless variety of Hollywood and Western cinema. Today, I chuckle at the answers I’ve uncovered.

It comes down to resonance: it is far easier for us to connect with the sensibilities, humor, language, and emotional rhythm of South Asia. I can't pinpoint the exact moment I started watching Hindi cinema—the simplest truth is that I grew up with it. Indian culture permeated our daily lives. Occasionally, I try to resist its pull, only to fail the moment when a new Shah Rukh Khan release hits the screen.

Living far from home, every new Bollywood release in Australia becomes an irresistible temptation. Beyond the entertainment, it offers a fleeting, comforting bridge back to my roots. Though I have only visited a few major cities in India, cinema has made me feel as though I know the country and its people intimately.

Shared Horizons and the Power of Screen

Bhutan and India share one of the closest bilateral relationships in South Asia. Yet, our closeness extends far beyond geopolitical borders. Deep cultural influences, economic ties, shared history, and daily social interactions bring our peoples together in ways that maps alone cannot capture.

Bollywood is famously celebrated for its vibrant song-and-dance numbers, dramatic arcs, and expansive storytelling—elements that have strongly inspired the narrative style of Bhutanese cinema. At one point, there was chatter about branding our film industry with a title like "Sandalwood." A friend of mine even started a Facebook page named Bhutan Films, though most simply refer to it as the Bhutanese Film Industry (a rose by any other name, as they say).

Perhaps the industry hasn't reached the scale where a grand title is necessary—or perhaps those at the helm simply feel a formal label isn't the priority. But make no mistake: the Bhutanese film industry cannot and should not be overlooked. It is becoming a powerful cultural medium for future generations to connect with their identity. Whether we leave its naming to the youth or actively intervene to recognize its economic and social role, its impact is undeniable.

Growing Up Between Genres

I don’t recall taking my daughters to the cinema to watch Bhutanese films, yet they know the songs by heart. They love to sing, dance, and imitate their favorite actors.

It reminds me of my own childhood. Watching Hindi movies with my parents in the Norgay and Mig cinema halls was a rare, precious treat. Yet somehow, I managed to soak in almost every film. It wasn't until later in life, starting in the small Chhaya video hall in Jaigaon, that I began exploring Hollywood.

The contrast was striking. While Hollywood was visually spectacular, it was harder to connect with emotionally. Fully appreciating those films required understanding a vast web of Western cultural nuances. Bollywood, by contrast, was intuitive—even if its predictability sometimes bordered on formulaic. Hollywood presented a fascinating riddle: a lens into American culture, subtle humor, futuristic themes, and thought-provoking dilemmas. Still, even when a Western movie left me completely baffled about its ending, I watched on.