Walking Between Two Worlds: Bollywood Cinema and the New Zealand-Indian Identity

Abstract

This qualitative research employs thematic analysis to investigate how Bollywood cinema impacts the cultural identities of Indian diasporic youth in Auckland, New Zealand. It examines Bollywood as both a cultural artifact and a contested space, affecting how members of the New Zealand-Indian diaspora negotiate their cultural identities. Through in-depth interviews with individual participants and a Bollywood-inspired dance group, the study uncovers a range of perspectives on Bollywood's role in shaping hybrid cultural identities.

Some youths express dissonance between Bollywood's portrayal of Indianness and their own lived experiences, while others find comfort and affirmation in Bollywood's celebration of their heritage, primarily through cultural expressions such as dance. The findings also highlight Bollywood's hybrid nature, serving as a source of nostalgia and a platform for critiquing gender bias, sexism, and casteism. Ultimately, this research confirms that Bollywood is a dynamic and influential force that shapes identity discourse, serving as a mediating factor that helps diasporic youth navigate their identities amid the complexities of life away from India.