In The Romantics, an upcoming Netflix docu-series, leading Hindi film stars talk about their association with Yash Chopra and how the late filmmaker defined romance for countless Indians. The series has been directed by Oscar and Emmy-nominated filmmaker Smriti Mundhra (St. Louise Superman, Indian Matchmaking, Never Have I Ever). 

One of the insights Smriti gleaned from her interviewees is how roundly they dislike the term ‘Bollywood’, a colloquialism they feel has been ‘given to them by the West’. 

Smriti says, “I was surprised to learn how unanimously people in the industry hate the term Bollywood. But in hindsight, it makes perfect sense. Who would want to be defined in the context of a totally different entity, especially with a term that feels reductive and derivative?”

She adds, “The Hindi film industry, and indeed all the regional industries that make up Indian cinema, are juggernauts unto their own. It’s just too bad that the word ‘Bollywood’ is so catchy!”

Netflix will release The Romantics on Feb 14 as a tribute to Yash Chopra. His son and heir, producer-filmmaker Aditya Chopra, has recorded his first onscreen interview for the series.