Bollywood

My new friend Xavie is introducing me to the wonderful world of Bollywood films. Tonight we watched one called Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, and it was great. The plot is somewhat like the movie Definitely, Maybe, only much better.

I'm becoming a fan of the genre. The music is great and makes me want to get up and dance, and the plots are always convoluted love stories (and I mean seriously convoluted--one I've seen involved reincarnation before the hero could finally rescue/get the girl, and tonight's took at least ten years to bring the couple together. I wonder if they all take decades for the happy ending to finally develop?). And somehow they walk the fine line between serious and pure farce. One moment you can't believe they take themselves seriously, the next they have you bawling like a baby. The one we watched tonight was also fun because part of it took place in the 80's, so the costumes were hilarious. Yeah, there's plenty of traditional sarees, but that's not what they wear when they're at school! And the huge dance numbers--amazing.

The only downside to a Bollywood flick is the need for subtitles. Although, there are plenty of phrases used in India now that are taken directly from English, that fairly often a character will suddenly shock me out of reading by speaking English. Oh, and the movies are long. They're intended to be watched with an intermission (which is even built into the DVD), so if you don't take a break you're in for a long haul. But this one didn't seem all that long. Either it was just that engrossing, or I've really built up my stamina from the Lord of the Rings films!

Bollywood is a great place to spend a Friday night. You should try it sometime.

-Kim