In any case, I always thought certain things about the culture were particularly fascinating. I hate to sound like the typical American completely lacking in knowledge of foreign cultures but if you've ever seen, attended or googled an Indian wedding you have to admit that anything Martha Stewart could ever whip up pales in comparison - literally. (Pale - adjective - lacking intensity of color; colorless.) During middle school and High School I watched different movies about the country and through that, ended up with a modest collection of Hindi songs to bob my head along to on the morning commute (one of which I can "sing" completely yet know none of the actual words - kind of like all the Selena songs I love to "sing" at karaoke.) Most of these movies were either made by American or English filmmakers, generally about immigration, culture shock and the hilarity that ensues. It was not until very recently that I began watching movies made by the Indian film industry - otherwise known as Bollywood.
Strange story as to how this all started, really. One night I was eating dinner at this restaurant called Tantric in Boston. It's an Indian restaurant and part of 
their shtick is to show music/dance scenes from various films. Once scene in particular caught my eye because it featured a very attractive young man doing a dance with a lot of kicking involved. I didn't know what his name was but I felt the need to tell the waiter how cute he was, and I did. He didn't care. Anyhow, since I didn't know who this guy was there was no way of googling or youtubing him so I could drool all over my keyboard so I had no other choice but to moved on with my dinner and my life. A few weeks later for some reason that I can't seem to remember I googled the term "googly eyes" - you know, those weird plastic eyes they put on puppets so it looks like they're really excited when you shake them. Anyway, so I google "googly eyes" and whose picture pops up? The cute guy doing the dance with all the kicking! I found out that his name was Shahid Kapoor and this Shahid Kapoor had quite the list of movies on netflix I chose one called "Kismat Konnection" and fell in love with it. Some of my friends who are more well versed in Bollywood than I insisted that this movie was pretty sub par but I loved it, little did I know that there was a whole world of films out there for me to see - most of which would make Kismat Konnection look like Glitter in comparison.
their shtick is to show music/dance scenes from various films. Once scene in particular caught my eye because it featured a very attractive young man doing a dance with a lot of kicking involved. I didn't know what his name was but I felt the need to tell the waiter how cute he was, and I did. He didn't care. Anyhow, since I didn't know who this guy was there was no way of googling or youtubing him so I could drool all over my keyboard so I had no other choice but to moved on with my dinner and my life. A few weeks later for some reason that I can't seem to remember I googled the term "googly eyes" - you know, those weird plastic eyes they put on puppets so it looks like they're really excited when you shake them. Anyway, so I google "googly eyes" and whose picture pops up? The cute guy doing the dance with all the kicking! I found out that his name was Shahid Kapoor and this Shahid Kapoor had quite the list of movies on netflix I chose one called "Kismat Konnection" and fell in love with it. Some of my friends who are more well versed in Bollywood than I insisted that this movie was pretty sub par but I loved it, little did I know that there was a whole world of films out there for me to see - most of which would make Kismat Konnection look like Glitter in comparison.Like most things I love intensely, I forget them after a few weeks. Shahid Kapoor was no more. After watching Vivah I had pretty much had enough - and if you see Vivah you'll understand why. There were so many other things to focus on! Graduation, Bruce concer
ts... you know, important things. Before I knew it, it was Christmas time and just when I had forgotten all about my love Shahid Kapoor on December 25th 2009 I was the lucky recipient of the Kismat Konnection DVD. It instantly re-sparked my love for Bollywood and I wanted more. Now as kismat (fate) would have it ONTD (my favorite internet playground) had some posts floating around about this new movie called My Name is Khan that looked pretty interesting. I remembered hearing about the film because the star, Shah Rukh Khan, was detained by airport security on a trip to the US a while back - Newark Airport, as Arnold Diaz would say shame shame shame shame on you! Around the same time these posts kept popping up a friend and of mine showed me this amazing musical sequence from the movie Dil Se on youtube and low and behold, there he was again! Then the pieces came together. He was not only the guy from the ONTD posts but he was the guy from all the phone ads I had scene at the Metropark station while riding New Jersey transit. And he was the guy who presented with Freida Pinto at the Golden Globes. I have no idea what compelled me but I began looking for more clips of this guy on youtube and I instantly fell in love... and lust. Sexiness, thy name is Shah Rukh! Little did I know that this guy happened to be the guy in the Indian film industry - lovingly known as King Khan.
ts... you know, important things. Before I knew it, it was Christmas time and just when I had forgotten all about my love Shahid Kapoor on December 25th 2009 I was the lucky recipient of the Kismat Konnection DVD. It instantly re-sparked my love for Bollywood and I wanted more. Now as kismat (fate) would have it ONTD (my favorite internet playground) had some posts floating around about this new movie called My Name is Khan that looked pretty interesting. I remembered hearing about the film because the star, Shah Rukh Khan, was detained by airport security on a trip to the US a while back - Newark Airport, as Arnold Diaz would say shame shame shame shame on you! Around the same time these posts kept popping up a friend and of mine showed me this amazing musical sequence from the movie Dil Se on youtube and low and behold, there he was again! Then the pieces came together. He was not only the guy from the ONTD posts but he was the guy from all the phone ads I had scene at the Metropark station while riding New Jersey transit. And he was the guy who presented with Freida Pinto at the Golden Globes. I have no idea what compelled me but I began looking for more clips of this guy on youtube and I instantly fell in love... and lust. Sexiness, thy name is Shah Rukh! Little did I know that this guy happened to be the guy in the Indian film industry - lovingly known as King Khan.I deferred to my friend Shivani - otherwise known as my Indian cousin. Instead of aimlessly adding movies to my netflix queue I figured she could offer me some direction. She suggested I see some movies that starred my new found love Shah Rukh Khan (otherwise known as SRK) alongside Kajol because, as
she put it, "they have the best chemistry." Now I have to admit that I was a big skeptical because I wondered if this so-called chemistry was culturally based - sort of like America's fascination with Jennifer Aniston. Do not get it. I wasn't sure if I would love this Bollywood couple as much as their fans did but I gave it a shot anyway because to be honest any SRK is better than no SRK. Thanks to someone's much appreciated tireless efforts, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai in it's entirety was available on youtube, so I sat at my computer on a cold monday morning wearing my bright blue snuggie and watched. And watched. And watched. These movies are 3 hour musical epics, people! So you better go to the bathroom before they start! Just when I thought I couldn't love SRK enough, my love reached a new level and not only did I love my dear, delicious SRK but I loved my dear, delicious SRK and Kajol - just Youtube the gazebo scene and you'll understand what I mean. Her sweet, natural beauty and lively femininity was the perfect counterpart to his masculine, humorous and often angry-looking sexiness. They are the original Kate and Leo - only they dance and lip sync. I laughed, I cried (within the first ten minutes) - it was better than CATS. This movie had me so excited I was just bursting to talk about it. It was like I had this amazing secret and I just couldn't hold it in anymore. I had to tell everyone about this movie - whether they wanted to listen to me or not. And for the most part it was "not" - not that that stopped me from talking about it. I had discovered a treasure and I wanted people to know! I had gotten so excited about this movie that I had not even realized that on the totem pole of Bollywood awesomeness I was focusing all my energy on what was only a middle to upper wood carving of Shah Rukh Khan's face (well, at least in my universe that's what totem poles look like.) Oh silly Candace, you did not know that the best was yet to come.
she put it, "they have the best chemistry." Now I have to admit that I was a big skeptical because I wondered if this so-called chemistry was culturally based - sort of like America's fascination with Jennifer Aniston. Do not get it. I wasn't sure if I would love this Bollywood couple as much as their fans did but I gave it a shot anyway because to be honest any SRK is better than no SRK. Thanks to someone's much appreciated tireless efforts, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai in it's entirety was available on youtube, so I sat at my computer on a cold monday morning wearing my bright blue snuggie and watched. And watched. And watched. These movies are 3 hour musical epics, people! So you better go to the bathroom before they start! Just when I thought I couldn't love SRK enough, my love reached a new level and not only did I love my dear, delicious SRK but I loved my dear, delicious SRK and Kajol - just Youtube the gazebo scene and you'll understand what I mean. Her sweet, natural beauty and lively femininity was the perfect counterpart to his masculine, humorous and often angry-looking sexiness. They are the original Kate and Leo - only they dance and lip sync. I laughed, I cried (within the first ten minutes) - it was better than CATS. This movie had me so excited I was just bursting to talk about it. It was like I had this amazing secret and I just couldn't hold it in anymore. I had to tell everyone about this movie - whether they wanted to listen to me or not. And for the most part it was "not" - not that that stopped me from talking about it. I had discovered a treasure and I wanted people to know! I had gotten so excited about this movie that I had not even realized that on the totem pole of Bollywood awesomeness I was focusing all my energy on what was only a middle to upper wood carving of Shah Rukh Khan's face (well, at least in my universe that's what totem poles look like.) Oh silly Candace, you did not know that the best was yet to come.After taking 3 effing hours to deliver the mail on a Saturday afternoon the mail woman decided I was worthy enough to get my DVD copy of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ) courtesy of netflix - a film that is perhaps one of the most beloved Bollywood movies of all time. I'm no expert but the little I do know of this movie is this: it's made a LOT of money in various countries around the world and still sell out in theaters 15 years after its rele
ase. The DVD has about 16 different options for subtitles - which I think that speaks to its popularity don't you? It's also one of only two Hindi films included in the list of 1001 Movies to See Before You Die - so I was guessing it had to be pretty good. Pretty good? Pretty good? There were no words to describe just how good this movie was. Kuch Kuch Hota Who?! THIS was a 3 hour musical masterpiece. I laughed, I cried - scratch that - I pretty much bawled my eyes out. Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol really are the original Kate and Leo only better! Better because they're multilingual, have great hair, make you weep while singing you a sweet Hindi tune and make multiple movies together so you have more love to look forward to. If you like Titantic, West Side Story, Romeo and Juliet or any great love story you have got to get your hot little hands on this movie. Just don't forget the Kleenex - and maybe even a little Xanax because this one is an emotional roller coaster that might leave you a little vulnerable once it's done.
ase. The DVD has about 16 different options for subtitles - which I think that speaks to its popularity don't you? It's also one of only two Hindi films included in the list of 1001 Movies to See Before You Die - so I was guessing it had to be pretty good. Pretty good? Pretty good? There were no words to describe just how good this movie was. Kuch Kuch Hota Who?! THIS was a 3 hour musical masterpiece. I laughed, I cried - scratch that - I pretty much bawled my eyes out. Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol really are the original Kate and Leo only better! Better because they're multilingual, have great hair, make you weep while singing you a sweet Hindi tune and make multiple movies together so you have more love to look forward to. If you like Titantic, West Side Story, Romeo and Juliet or any great love story you have got to get your hot little hands on this movie. Just don't forget the Kleenex - and maybe even a little Xanax because this one is an emotional roller coaster that might leave you a little vulnerable once it's done. DDLJ has only awakened the Bollywood beast within. I have a huge list of movies to see and I don't think I've been this excited for the arrival of my Netflix since...well ever. Glitz, glamor, music, choreography, drama, action, romance, Shah. Rukh. Khan! If you like, or love any of those things I highly suggest finding yourself a Bollywood movie to watch. Sure you'll need to set aside about 3 hours in your day but it is more than worth your time. I found myself so much more emotionally invested in these characters than I had been in any of characters featured in American movies - at least any that I can remember in recent years. Okay so some of the scenes can be a little cheesy but it's up to you to go along with it or not and I promise you'll love it if you do. Plus I don't think it's any cheesier than "When In Rome" and I know a lot of idiots who are bound to see that crap movie. Give it a shot - it'll save you 12 bucks at the theater and provide a completely new kind of escapism most movies can only hope to offer.
For you nonbelievers here's a little treat from Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge
Hey. You're blogging again. :)
And you're back with a blog about Bollywood! YES!!
I love love love Bollywood movies. I especially love SRK. He is like the most loved actor ever. Even my mom still loves him.
I don't know if you've seen it, but you should watch Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (K3G).
SRK and Kajol are both in it, and it's one of my fave. Bollywood movies of all time.
But anyways. I'm glad you blogged. :)
Can't wait for the next.
-Subuhi
I ADORE SRK! When I saw him the first time, I think I saw one scene and said 'Oh he's good!' to myself. I don't know what it is but you just want to watch him.
I want to see K3G but they don't have it on netflix! I watched some other movie with him an Abhishek instead to try and fill the void but it didn't really do the trick but it was kind of scandalous. No Kajol though so it definitely lost points there.
Indian Cousin! You are fabulous! What a great read. Keep posting and watching. Let's add some more titles to your list! x
My Indian Cousin! I can't wait to add more. I've seen a few other SRK movies - I'm a little partial to him these days if you couldn't tell - but I saw Three Idiots the other day and I'm doing to see another Shahid Kapoor movie in the theaters next week.
I'm getting Veer-Zaara in the mail today! Super excited :) How did you keep all these amazing movies a secret? They are perfection.