Book Review: Pratik Majumdar’s ‘1975: The Year That Transformed Bollywood’

In 1975: The Year That Transformed Bollywood, author and cinephile Pratik Majumdar offers an evocative, richly layered chronicle of what he calls the most transformative year in Hindi cinema. Blending film critique with cultural history, Pratik’s work is not merely a nostalgic homage to a golden cinematic era—it is a deep dive into how one calendar year mirrored the socio-political and emotional pulse of a changing India.

Pratik curates a powerful lineup of films—Sholay, Deewaar, Chupke Chupke, Julie, Jai Santoshi Maa, Aandhi, Nishant, and more—that span the commercial and the cerebral. The book positions Sholay not just as a blockbuster, but as a landmark in marketing, storytelling, and genre fusion. Deewaar and Sholay helped immortalise Amitabh Bachchan’s “angry young man” persona, a cultural archetype that reflected the simmering disillusionment of the time. Nevertheless, Pratik is careful to highlight Bachchan’s versatility, drawing attention to his comedic turn in Chupke Chupke and the emotional gravity he brought to Mili.

What sets this book apart is its attention to the lesser-discussed but equally vital parallel cinema movement. By examining films like Nishant, Aandhi, and Mausam, Pratik brings to the fore the industry's willingness in 1975 to grapple with uncomfortable truths—be it political disillusionment, patriarchal oppression, or emotional vulnerability. Even devotional cinema is given its due, as with Jai Santoshi Maa, which the author smartly positions as a cultural phenomenon that shaped household religiosity and popular consciousness.

Pratik’s analysis is both scholarly and accessible, balancing cinematic insight with a sociological lens. He captures the diversity of 1975’s film output—from youth-centric thrillers like Khel Khel Mein to cross-dressing comedy in Rafoo Chakkar—arguing that this creative explosion marked a moment when Indian cinema embraced experimentation while staying deeply rooted in public sentiment.

Perhaps the book’s most poignant takeaway lies in its concluding reflections on contemporary cinema. In an age dominated by OTT platforms and rapid content consumption, Pratik draws a timely parallel: “Transformation isn’t just about technology or platforms—it’s about storytelling courage. And that’s timeless.” This is the heart of the book’s thesis—an enduring reminder that true cinematic revolutions come from bold storytelling, not just budgets or box office metrics.

In all, 1975: The Year That Transformed Bollywood is an insightful read for film lovers, historians, and anyone curious about the intersection of art, society, and cultural evolution. This book not only reaffirms the significance of 1975 but also gently nudges the readers to appreciate and explore the kind of cinema that leaves a lasting legacy.

About the Author:

Pratik Majumdar is a passionate cinephile, music enthusiast, and published author. He began his career in advertising, working across India and London, and has since cultivated an extensive collection of Blu-rays, DVDs, and vinyl records. His deep love for storytelling and cinema led to the release of his debut short story collection. 1975: The Year That Transformed Bollywood marks his second book and his first foray into writing on cinema.