There were two versions of the movie called Bollywood Hollywoodthat were released for the North American and India. Last night I rented the version I didn't see. This update is about the one the People in India saw.
Produced and Directed by Yash Johar.
Screenplay by Deepa Mehta.
Released by the Dharma Movie Company in 2002.
Rated: G
Filmed: Brampton, Ontario, Canada
I watched the film for over 2 hours.
THE STARS
Rahul Khanna plays Rahul, (who was adopted by the Raichand Family).
Moushumi Chatterjee plays Rahul's Mother.
Dina Pathak plays Rahul's Grandmother.
Lisa Ray plays Sue, (Sunita).
Kulbhushan Kharbanda plays Sue's Father.
Jessica Pare plays Kimberly who is a famous Singer and also is Rahul's Girlfriend, (who is not Indian).
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Rahel was married before to a Women named Tina.
When Rahul's Father was dying he had vowed to him that he would always date a Lady from India.
THE INDIAN PLOT
The film begins at a Funeral. Rahul is there watching a body being cremated on a Pyre. While Rahul is watching he is crying very hard. Suddenly Rahul hears Tina's voice and he feels that she is dying.
In the next scene Rahul is talking to a Doctor who is told him he has a Daughter but Tina has lost a lot of blood and is going to die.
Rahul runs into the Hospital Room and sees Tina handing their Baby to his Mother. He runs up to Tina and holds her until she dies in his arms.
The film fast forwards eight years and the scene shows his Daughter in her Bedroom waiting for her Father, (who is late), to arrive. A Clock Chimes and she knows it's noon. (Before her Mother died she had written he Daughter a letter to be given to her at every Birthday).
She sees her presents and rummages through them until she finds her Mother's letter. This year the letter tells her how her Mother, Father and her Father's best Friend met.
The story continues until the time Rahul's Daughter grows up and she has fallen in love. There are problems because every Family has a secret.
I'll end here and hope you go see the movie to find out what happens.
THE NORTH AMERICAN PLOT
Directed and Written by Deepa Mehta.
Produced by Mongrel Media.
It took me 1 hour and 40 minutes to watch the film.
The Stars are the same except their is no baby.
Rahul was married and his Wife died. He is so upset the Family decides to move to London.
Rahu Seth is a handsome millionaire who like all young Men, (not just the rich ones), in North America doesn't feel he has to behave like his Mother and Grandmother want him to. His Sister is about to get married and he can't bring his Girlfriend. They are very upset because he is dating a non-Indian Lady and a Star.
Rahu decides to keep his Mother and Grandmother happy, (his Father appears from time to time to remind him of his vow), he has to look for someone from the Indian community to take to his Sisters Wedding.
Sue is a beautiful Woman who is very poor. Rahu meets her one day and thinks she is from Mexico but the colour of her skin would make his Mother and Grandmother believe she was Indian.
He makes a deal with Sue to pretend to be his Fiancee, (until the Wedding is over). Sue needs the money so see agrees.
He begins to teach her how to be an Indian Lady. One day he takes her Home and finds our she really is Indian.
Rahu introduce Sue to his Family and they think she is wonderful.
An Indian Man tells Rahu something about Sue. Rahu doesn't know if he should believe him.
He asks Sue and she gets very upset and walks out on him. I'll stop telling you about the film now.
THE MUSIC
The music was super and the songs I like best were, (I hope I spelled these right), Latch Bad Angina Hai, Seagoing Gar Aaaye and Tujhe Yaad Na Meri Aaaye, (I cried when I heard the last song).
MY CONCLUSION: (of the Indian film)
I loved it when Rahul's Grandmother was quoting Shakespear.
Sue's Father wasn't seen much but when he was seen he held my attention.
The co-Stars where wonderful in their roles as Rakhina, (a homosexual), Killer Singh, (he reminded me of Mr. Muscle Man in the comics) and Desi, (a Boy at the University).
I couldn't believe that the most of the People in the background weren't Actors or Actress buy members of Toronto's Indian Community.
This Movie was not about the Canadian and Indian Cultures but it was a sweet and funny love story.
I think that Deepa Mehta was try to show that Bollywood Films were fun to watch and he was able to bend them with what North American's see when they watch Hollywood Movies.
I hope you go see one of them you'll be glad that you did.
©LL2002
