There is no doubt that Bollywood is one of the most popular genres for fans, not just in India but around the globe. Now, showcasing the richness and diversity of the Indian filmmaking industry, Bollywood Superstars: A Short Story of Indian Cinema will be on display at the Louvre Abu Dhabi from today until 4 June. The exhibition, celebrating the extravaganza of Indian cinema, was officially opened by Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of the museum. 

“Bollywood Superstars demonstrate our enduring commitment to showcasing the wealth of cultures that define so much of life in the United Arab Emirates,” said Manuel Rabaté, Director of Louvre Abu Dhabi. “We hope that, by offering a glimpse into the subcontinent’s rich and diverse filmmaking history, visitors can better understand the myriad of our shared roots, common values, and cultural connections.”

The exhibition was organized in partnership with Musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac and France Muséums.

“This exhibition is a tribute to Bollywood and can be enjoyed by Indian cinema fans and the wider public. We hope that it portrays the full richness of Asian traditions and tells the stories that led to the birth of this cinema. The exhibition celebrates Bollywood superstars adored by their fans in India in a way that is rarely seen elsewhere in the world,” said the exhibition’s curators, Julien Rousseau and Hélène Kessous.

The exhibition highlights the rich history of Indian cinema from its origins in the late 19th century to the present through more than 80 artworks, including pictures, textiles, graphic arts, costumes, and more than 30 film clips. 

The artworks are drawn from the collections of the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the Jacques Chirac Museum at the Quai Branly, the Musée de l’Armée, the Guimet Museum of National Arts of Asia, the al-Sabah Collection, the Raja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation, and the Priya Paul Collection.

Visitors will have access to a cultural program, including a detailed talk led by the exhibition curators today and the showing of six renowned Bollywood movies in March.