What, you too?: Bollywood

Friday, November 19, 2004

I'm hooked. The melancholy! The song and dance! The pathos!

Abba said...: Please recommend some good Bollywood films for the uninitiated.; 10:59 PM, November 19, 2004
Jessica said...: Succinct Bollywood intro: The Indian film industry, which produces epic-length films with recycled plotlines, gorgeous actresses, suspension-of-disbelief musical numbers and happy endings, while somehow (in my opinion) avoiding the kitchiest of kitch. That said, I have not seen too many that I can identify by name (though I do highly recommend the in-flight entertainment on India Air). The one last night was called "Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham" (US title: 'Happiness and Tears', German title 'In guten wie in schlechten Zeiten'). That's a winner!

Otherwise, you can check out anything directed by Mira Nair, including: 'Monsoon Wedding' (that was popular in the US, wasn't it?), 'Mississipi Masala' (a crossover with Denzel Washington), and 'Vanity Fair' (another crossover, with Reese Witherspoon). 'Bend it like Beckham' (directed by Gurinder Chadha) has overtones of Bollywood but isn't strictly, although the director does do some pure Bollywood stuff in other movies.

My first introduction to Bollywood was this NPR segment from 2002. You can also check out this Fresh Air segment on Bollywood music. And for all of you Chicagoans, you can rent probably every Bollywood film ever made on Devon Street.

Andrew Lloyd Webber is apparently also getting into the Bollywood scene in his new-ish musical "Bombay Dreams."; 2:27 AM, November 20, 2004

What, you too?