Final answer:
Bollywood is the name given to the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai, India, and is part of the larger Indian cinema industry. It is recognized for its large output, global influence, and distinctive blend of cinematic elements such as music and dance.
Step-by-step explanation:
Bollywood refers to the segment of the Indian Cinema based in Mumbai, which was formerly known as Bombay. As a vibrant expression of Indian culture, Bollywood is not just confined to India's borders; its films enjoy international popularity with influence reaching across Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Bollywood's unique approach blends drama, music, and dance into long epic productions or other dramatic narratives which have mass appeal.
Mumbai's film industry stands as the world center for movie production, annually crafting around two thousand movies. The reach of these films is extensive, with posters of Bollywood actresses visible in places as far-reaching as Nigerian car repair garages and women in West Africa emulating their favorite movie stars by wearing saris. The appeal of Bollywood movies is often attributed to modest dress, avoidance of explicit sexual content, and a focus on dramatic storytelling that resonates with a variety of international audiences.
Bollywood has been recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records for having the world's largest film production center located in Hyderabad, a testament to India's dominant role in global cinema production. Indian movie stars are highly celebrated, and the creation of hand-painted movie posters has become a remarkable artistic endeavor within urban India, speaking volumes about the cultural significance of Bollywood movies in Indian society.