I just saw Bollywood Calling...

[Really Not All That Bright]

...and it is without doubt the funniest film I've seen in years.

I had lunch with the 'rents and my aunt and uncle... and my family being Indian, their post-Thanksgiving plans are "watch Hindi films" rather than "watch the Cowboys".

Normally, I would have begged off... can't stand the singing, dancing, poor translation in subtitles which require my mother to explain the plot twists to me, or the acting. However, I was too full of turkey and pumpkin to be able to get into my car, so I was forced to sit and watch.

My aunt took pity on me, and said, "you'll like this one, don't worry."

She was right. Bollywood Calling is hilarious. Whether you despise, enjoy, or have never experienced Hindi (or Indian) films, go out and find a copy right now. It will be a little funnier to you if you've seen at least a few minutes of a traditional Hindi film, but you will laugh yourself hoarse either way.

I didn't even complain afterwards when my aunt put in "Joggers' Park", a more traditional (read: ridiculously badly-written and full of random songs) Hindi film. The major reason, though, was that I've fallen in love with the female lead of Bollywood Calling, one Perizaad Zoriban, who also happens to be the female lead of Joggers' Park, and is absolutely, drool-inducingly stunning. And funny.

Anyone else seen it? I know there are a few Bollywood afficionados on the boards...

[Really Not All That Bright]

<bump>

[Mr. Babbington]

I feel bad for you...my experience with Bollywood is basically this: Monsoon Wedding, and the music video for Basement Jaxx's Romeo. After that, there is no more. I want to get into some Bollywood myself. The actresses are gorgeous.
What was the name of that one that came out a year or so ago, about the cricket match between the Indian Village and the British troop detachment?

[green_bladder]

Originally posted by dutchboy208

...which require my mother to explain the plot twists to me...

Whoa, whoa, whoa.. slow down buddy. Plot twists? In a Bollywood film? What have I been missing?

My parents have been trying to get me watch Joggers' Park; and after reading your review, I guess I'll try and rent a copy, along with Bollywood Calling... if for no other reason than to check out this "drool-inducing" actress.

Speaking of drool-inducing, let's hope the rumours of Ashwairya Rai appearing in the next 007 film materialise. Mmm.

[green_bladder]

Oh and Mr. Babbington, that would be Lagaan, the last Bollywood film I saw.

[Aankh]

Anyone who liked Joggers' Park ought to be smacked upside the head. I have spoken.

Which one was Bollywood Calling? The wedding shebang movie? Oh wait. That doesn't tell you anything, does it?
If it was the one with Naseeruddin Shah, I loved it. Mmm Naseeruddin Shah. (Why o why did you go act in The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen?!)

[Angua]

I haven't seen Bollywood Calling, but I've heard its good. The one about the wedding is Monsoon Wedding.

The last Bollywood film I saw was Bhagbaan. It was good, and actually an interesting storyline...

[II Gyan II]

I saw this one a few months back. I've had the (ill-?) luck of having spent some time on Bollywood movie sets in the early 90s. And that movie captures some of the idiosyncracies quite well.

Plot twists in a Hindi movie? ... You need a 'plot' to begin with.

If you want to watch some decent Hindi movies, pick some from the early 50s or 60s. Even they are silly as such, but the songs are waaaay better and story not as contrived. In particular, pick Guru Dutt and Raj Kapoor movies.

In the US, you can rent DVDs of Hindi movies from www.erosentertainment.com. Like Netflix, you either pay $20 a month and get unlimited DVDs or rent each DVD individually without getting a membership. Since I didn't watch Hindi movies regularly, I did the latter. They have over 1500 DVDs and their collection spans from 50s to the latest movies.

[sunfish]

Netflix doesn't carry Bollywood Calling, sadly. Which means I'll have to wait until I'm positive I can watch the thing and return it on time before I go looking in the Indian stores nearby. *sigh* Joggers' Park isn't yet available here on DVD, apparently.

Mr. Babbington, if you want to get into Bollywood and don't have an Indian store with a corner video rental handy, Netflix has enough of a selection to get you started (and mostly films with English subtitles available). Netflix doesn't carry everything, though, and does seem a little slow in picking up the newer films. I have promised to treat myself (yeah, I'm weird this way ) by signing up for a membership with IndoFilms once I exhaust my interests at Netflix.

There have been a few Bollywood threads in the last year in case you're looking for more recommendations, too.

[Really Not All That Bright]

Originally posted by aasna
Anyone who liked Joggers' Park ought to be smacked upside the head. I have spoken.

Which one was Bollywood Calling? The wedding shebang movie? Oh wait. That doesn't tell you anything, does it?
If it was the one with Naseeruddin Shah, I loved it. Mmm Naseeruddin Shah. (Why o why did you go act in The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen?!)

Let me clarify. I loved Bollywood Calling. I did not like Joggers' Park, I just didn't mind sitting through it because of the lovely Ms. Zorabian.

[Shirley Ujest]

My entire knowledge of Bollywood films is from Monsoon Wedding, which I loved though I was confused with all the cast (family/inlaws of who was who, but I loved the wedding planner guy.) , I have to ask:

What is the deal with the singing in all their films that I've seen clips too?

Do hindi's naturally randomly burst into song or what?


Being that the nearest Hindi is about 40 miles away, the chances of my local video store carrying Bollywood Calling is slim

[Aankh]

Shirley Ujest, before someone comes along and starts ranting at you:

Hindi is the language.
Hindu are the people. The ones that follow Hinduism as a religion, anyway.

There. That's over.

As for Indians naturally bursting out into song, well, only about as often as (say for instance) Latvians do. The song-in-movie deal has more to do with the history of theatre in India. Music has always been an integral part of story-telling, and when movies came about, it seemed natural to extend this theme via the celluloid medium. Since people still enjoy the song and dance interludes a lot, the practice continues.

I personally like it a lot. A good song is a good song is a good song. (The bad ones, however....)

[Angua]

Originally posted by aasna

I personally like it a lot. A good song is a good song is a good song. (The bad ones, however....)

Are very very scary. I do have to restrain myself from bursting into song occasionally myself...

[green_bladder]

Ok, a quick bump to say I just saw Joggers' Park. And screw me, Perizaad is an absolute stunner! Phewy! She sounds incredibly sexy when she swears, too. I could listen to her saying "fuck off" all nigh.. ahem.

Aishwarya who?

Oh, and crap movie by the way, boring and utterly predictable.