Orientalism and Hollywood

Abstract

Orientalism is a broad concept of cultural studies which is nurtured with the fabricated stereotypical images of the Middle East and the Eastern world that were developed or imagined by the West. Edward. W. Said strengthens the concept of the ‘Orientalism' by his wide explanation and discussion about the Orient. However, Hollywood cinema shows an imprint of Orientalism while depicting the Indian scenario. Hollywood cinema with Indian set up shows several fabricated stereotypical concepts related to India and Indian society. The stereotypical concepts are mainly related to the Indian tradition, customs, rituals, poverty, illiteracy, etc. Even they use various beautiful landscape and Indian music in their own ways to give mystic charms to their cinema. Recently it was recognised that the stereotypical concepts about India and Indian society are changing rapidly in Hollywood cinemas which try to justify that the concept of Orientalism is changing with the passage of time or with the arrival of modernity.