{"product_id":"storytelling-in-hindi-cinema-richard-allen-9781350473294","title":"Storytelling in Hindi Cinema: Doubles, Deception, and Discovery","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFrom physical duplicates to role reversals and sexual masquerades, \u003ci\u003e Storytelling in Hindi Cinema\u003c\/i\u003e provides a comprehensive overview of Hindi films centered around the figure of the double.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eRichard Allen dissects the cultural significance of these double-themed plots, considering how they reflect questions of social mobility, the expression of desire, social justice, and national identity in the post-colonial period. He considers the wide array of influences that shape the genre, from Sanskrit \u003ci\u003eKathasaritsagara\u003c\/i\u003e story-telling traditions, folk \u003ci\u003eNautanki\u003c\/i\u003e theatres, and \u003ci\u003eTales of the Arabian Nights \u003c\/i\u003eto colonial and post-colonial roots from Shakespeare to Hollywood melodrama. He asserts the influence of Bengali cinema, particularly of filmmaker Hrishikesh Mukherjee, and South Indian films like \u003ci\u003eHello Brother\u003c\/i\u003e (1994) in providing diverse perspectives that enrich these narratives. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eExamining a broad range of films, from 1947 to present, including \u003ci\u003eMahal\u003c\/i\u003e (1949), \u003ci\u003eMadhumati\u003c\/i\u003e (1958), \u003ci\u003eChupke Chupke \u003c\/i\u003e(1975), \u003ci\u003eAngoor \u003c\/i\u003e(1982), \u003ci\u003eBanjaran \u003c\/i\u003e(1991), \u003ci\u003eKal Ho Na Ho\u003c\/i\u003e (2003) and \u003ci\u003eDostana \u003c\/i\u003e(2008), Allen traces the evolution of the trope, even incorporating transgressive narratives like cross-dressing and gender disguise. In doing so, he highlights how these cinematic motifs navigate the complexities of traditional worldviews and modern experiences.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Richard Allen\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 1350473294\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781350473294\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Bloomsbury Academic\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 01\/22\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 360\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 1.00lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.21h x 6.14w x 1.00d","brand":"Richard Allen","offers":[{"title":"Hardcover","offer_id":48014225834239,"sku":"9781350473294","price":115.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_12dc4456-8e40-40da-a79e-94c512e0e32d.jpg?v=1767747465","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/storytelling-in-hindi-cinema-richard-allen-9781350473294","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}