Bollywood

Title: Bride and Prejudice
Director: Gurinder Chadha
Actors: Aishwarya Rai, Marin Henderson,
Naveen Andrews, Anupam Kher
Year: 2004
Personal Rating: ****

I haven't yet read the classic "Pride and Prejudice" on which this film is roughly based, but I can still appreciate it. Wikipedia describes it well:

When Lalita Bakshi (Aishwarya Rai) meets Californian blue blood Will Darcy (Martin Henderson) at a wedding in her Indian hometown, Amritsar, it's hate at first sight. She accuses him of being an imperialist snob, and he brushes her off as a coddled village girl, blinkered to the ways of the world. Eventually, they find themselves drawn together in a series of fractious but increasingly flirtatious encounters. (Source: wikipedia.org)

Title: Asoka Director: Santhosh Sivan Actors: Shahrukh Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Ajit Kumar Year: 2001 Personal Rating:**

Title: Monsoon Wedding
Director: Mira Nair
Actors: Naseeruddin Shah, Littete Dubey, Shefali Shetty
Year: 2001
Personal Rating:****

As family from around the world reunite in New Delhi to attend the arranged marriage between Aditi and Hemant, other love stories come to light; as well as situations of adultery, class discrimination and even pedophilia. This is a serious but at times hilarious film that gives the viewer a realistic glimpse into modern indian family dynamics, the clash between tradition and modernity, and a very real look into the color and culture of New Delhi. Excellent music and cinematography as well as exquisite acting.

Title: Lajja
Director: Raj Kumar Santoshi
Actors: Manisha Koirala, Madhuri Dixit, Rekha,
Ajay Devgan, Anil Kapoor
Year: 2001
Personal Rating:***

A refreshing "what happens after the wedding?" take on the traditional bollywood genre, this film follows Vaidehi on her self-actualizing journey as a wife escaping a marriage gone bad. On her journey, Vaidehi meets three other women who, like her, have been wronged by the double-standards that have traditionally left Indian women with the short end of the stick; but these heroines of the film demonstrate courage and strength, along with a "hero" women-and-children avenger.
The extravagent dance numbers in this film alone make it worth viewing. However, if this film has one flaw, it would have to be the viscousness and sometimes absurdity with which it portrays men in general as monsters that are incapable of respecting women (there are some good ones out there).

Title: *Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham* Director:Karan Johar Actors: Shahrukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Kajol, Rani Mukherjee Year: 2001 Personal Rating:****

Title: *American Desi* Director: Piyush Dinker Pandya Actors: Deep Katdare, Purva Bedi, Kal Penn Year: 2001 Personal Rating:***

Title: Kuch Kuch Hota Hai Director: Karan Johar Actors: Shahrukh Khan, Kajol, Rani Mukherjee, Salman Khan Year: 1998 Personal Rating:*****

Title: Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge Director: Aditya Chopra Actors: Shahrukh Khan, Kajol, Amrish Puri Year: 1995 Personal Rating:*****

Title: Sholay Director: Ramesh Sippy Actors: Amitabh Bachchan, Amjad Khan, Dharmendra, Sanjeev Kumar Year: 1975 Personal Rating:*****

For those of you unversed in the Bollywood scene, some pointers:

If there is one there is one thing you must know about modern Indian culture, it is its film industry, aka "Bollywood". This may seem obvious, but no kidding I have run into some people who have no idea.

For those of you who have no idea: This film genre generally has the following components: extravagant musical dance numbers, over-dramaticized characters and situations, and some dilemma associated with love and/or family. Oh, and you cannot forget the corny humor or the characteristic fight scene.

And if there are any two actors in Bollywood history that you should recognize if you show the least interest in Hindi film, those names are Amitabh Bachchan and Sharukh Khan. (I have Kajol pictured at the top of this page with Sharukh only because she and Sharukh are my favorite pair).

Finally, I'm sure that many of you would agree with me when I say that three key films in Bollywood are Sholay, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, and American Desi (although I would not call that last one a "true" Bollywood film). All must-sees. I will be including cultural films that are not of the strict Bollywood genre as well, such as American Desi and Monsoon Wedding.

On a final note, I will not pretend that I am the most up-to-date and well-versed of the Bollywood scene, I just enjoy a good film. So...
I will also be putting up movie titles without the review... if you have seen the film and would like to review it, please contact me with relevant info.
Otherwise I will just put up my own opinions as I get around to watching said films =P
Rating is on a scale of 5 stars :)
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