Masala film

Masala films of Indian cinema are those that blend multiple genres into one work. Masala films emerged in the 1970s and are still created as of the 2020s.[1] Typically these films freely bend action, comedy, romance, and drama or melodrama. They also tend to be musicals that include songs, often filmed in picturesque locations.[2][3]

The genre is named after the masala, a mixture of spices in Indian cuisine.[4] According to The Hindu, masala is the most popular genre of Indian cinema.[3] Masala films have origins in the 1970s, and are common in every major film industry in India.[5] Production of these films is still active in early 2020s.[6][7]