What is cinema and how do social scientists view it critically? Why is cinema important to our understanding of modern society? What does cinema mean to a society like India? What is the past, present, and possible future of Indian cinema? How has Indian cinema shaped Indian mentalities and how has it been influenced by ideologies present in Indian society? This edited collection of sixteen essays by distinguished scholars answers these questions and also includes:Comprehensive examination of Indian cinema from historical, social, and cultural perspectivesAnalysis of gender representation, communal identity, and nationalist themes in filmCoverage of major filmmakers including Satyajit Ray and Shyam BenegalExploration of cinema's role in depicting social movements and political ideologiesInvestigation of diaspora experiences and regional cinema traditionsThe book is aimed at cinema scholars and anyone who is interested in looking at cinema as a serious social expression in a changing world. This title has been co-published with Aakar Books. Taylor & Francis does not sell or distribute the print edition in South Asia (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka).