Over the years, after reading one issue of Filmfare or Stardust after another, I realized that the Hindi film industry and the media publications who write about them, commonly use certain English words that are exclusively theirs and – sans a select few – aren’t exactly proper English.
Perhaps, these terms could one day become – or already are – a part of the Hinglish lexicon alongside terms and phrases like “topper”, “prepone” and “doing the needful”.
Either way, here’s a list I compiled of common words that Bollywood and Bollywood journalists alike use.
|
Term |
Definition | Note |
| “Artiste” | A pretentious label that Bollywood actors use to describe themselves. | Apparently, “artist” isn’t good enough for them, they’re “artistes”. Note: no one else in the English-speaking world uses this dated, pretentious term except them. It’s like a white guy called Larry giving himself the stage name “Pierre”. |
| “Dialogues” | Bollywood stars often use this term to refer to lines on a script. The plural form of “dialogue” is actually “dialogue”. | Not proper English |
| “Filmy” | Of or pertaining to films. Can also be another word for a film buff or a cinephile. Ex: he is obsessed with films; he’s so filmi. | Hinglish |
| “Starrer” | Used as a suffix when talking about a film. Ex: the Deepika Padukone-starrer, Piku… | Not proper English |
| “Star Kids” |
A child whose parents are famous Bollywood stars. This is an exclusively Bollywood term. Bollywood is also the only industry that vilifies the children of celebrities. |
No one in America goes after Miley, Gwyneth, Emilio Estevez, Michael Douglas, Angeline Jolie and a plethora of others for having famous parents. I am sick of tired bitches groaning and moaning about “star kid” privilege. |
| “Nepo Kids” | See above. Somewhat synonymous with “Star Kids” but with a slightly more negative connotation. | Typically used by deshbhakts who support Trump who ironically put his unqualified, incompetent daughter and her equally unqualified, incompetent husband in the White House. Newsflash: Jarvanka are “Nepo Kids”. |
| “Massy” | A film made for mass appeal. | Hinglish |
