New Books in Sociology

Tupur Chatterjee, "Projecting Desire: Media Architectures and Moviegoing in Urban India" (NYU Press, 2025)

May 14, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Tupur Chatterjee, an Assistant Professor specializing in global film and media, explores the evolution of moviegoing in urban India. She delves into how the multiplex has reshaped cultural experiences, particularly for middle-class women, intertwining cinema and shopping malls. Chatterjee discusses the impact of COVID-19 on moviegoing, the rise of streaming, and how films like 'Pink' and 'NH10' challenge societal illusions. Her insights reveal the intricate connections between media, architecture, and urban identity.
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INSIGHT

Architecture Shapes Indian Spectatorship

  • Indian audiences are shaped by spatial and infrastructural contexts, not just media content.
  • Cinema spaces are designed to manage who feels safe, visible, and legitimate as spectators.
INSIGHT

Multiplex as Urban Cultural Node

  • The multiplex is more than a cinema; it is a complex site merging media, urban design, and gender politics.
  • Its emergence reshaped urban leisure and regulated who could safely occupy public spaces.
ANECDOTE

Book Cover Inspired by Personal Experience

  • Tupur Chatterjee chose Rocky or Rani Ki Prem Kahani as her book cover from her own multiplex experience.
  • The film moment captured reflects the emotional and architectural tensions of Indian multiplex cinema.
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