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My Bollywood journey
Topic Started: Dec 13 2012, 10:48 AM (1,305 Views)
Ally Kumari
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Anxiety girl

My Bollywood Journey
...the road goes ever on and on...


It has been a little over three years since I have become a Bollywood fan. I have watched nearly 400 films during that time, which is quite a thing considering that I have never been into films of any kind, and if I had a favourite actor and actress they were bound to be from some TV show rather then a movie. It was also only after I discovered Bollywood that I truly began to appreciate the medium that is cinema, the entertainment and even educational value it represents (when in good hands), I found more respect for people who make films.

Why Bollywood though? I still don´t have an answer to that. The closest thing to an explanation would be that the European film is dying a slow death and as someone who learned to speak around the time when the big changes were taking place in our country and we switched our focus from Russia to the West and accepted even the shittiest American show as a holy revelation (not because we wouldn´t know it´s bad, but because it was in fashion to be all western all of a sudden), and my whole childhood I have been bombarded by western movies left right and center, I have little appreciation for them. True enough – I loved some of them. And I do love European films too. I don´t think I have seen grander and more realistic historic sagas than the ones Russians and Poles made twenty, thirty years back. I dearly love Star Wars and The Lord of the rings movies, and I love our little Czech movies from the 60s and the 70s, but ultimately I grew tired of TV and cinema as a whole, as it never seemed to bring anything that would engage my interest for too long. Music was a greater passion for me back in the day, and as a grown up I turned my focus towards history and literature, letting my mind wander through the vast palaces in St. Petersburg.

Bollywood happened to me by chance and unexpectedly, and after a rather short „liking“ phase I embraced it with all the enthusiasm I am capable of. And I must say I do not regret one bit. Bollywood has given me far more than just entertainment. It showed me a world I knew nothing about, a world that is barely even mentioned in our school books. It showed me, even if only partly, the overwhelming richness of people from different cultures. It made me think about issues previously ignored. And most importantly it made me a lot more tolerant and less judgmental, a lot more open minded towards people from the East, that are so often misinterpreted by western media and presented to the white population as caricatures – either funny and ridiculous or violent and dangerous. I definitely do not claim to understand the way India and the East function, I wouldn´t dare to think I know their culture well. But I can finally say I look at more than just a skin colour or clothing. I am capable of embracing different ideas. I feel closer to people I meet, no matter who they are, realizing finally that we all bleed red – something we all know, but often tend to forget. Does it sound ridiculous or pretentious? So be it. There are feelings you cannot describe without sounding saintly or preachy after all.

My Bollywood journey, that has started with Devdas, has been wonderful, and full of beautiful and atrocious and average movies. I have seen great actors and awful actors and actors in between, I have written and read hundreds of reviews, I have argued with others over a difference of opinion. I have spent my time for studying hunting for latest news and pictures, and then cursed myself as I had to learn till early morning hours. I have finally found my favourite actors and actresses, and little by little I am picking up a broken Hindi. I have been wondered at, laughed at, told it´s just a phase and in the end I have been curiously asked for recommendations. Funny thing is I have never really tried to push anyone to watch a Bollywood movie with me. After some time they come themselves – my mother, curious about my new passion, my flatmates, who have run out of their own DVDs and were bored, even quite unknown people from school who, sitting behind me, watched Madhuri dance (on mute) during a REALLY boring lecture. I have found out that Devdas, Om Shanti Om, Lajja, Kahaani, Dil To Pagal Hai and 3 Idiots work perfectly for almost every Bollywood „newbie“, showing them that Bollywood can be all – a sugary bubble gum romance, a laughing riot, a thriller with a twist, an film with a message. The worst reaction I had to these films so far is „it was nice“.

I simply fell in love with Hindi cinema. Without much thinking or reason. It has become a part of me and even my image. Everybody knows about it. And since I never really let go of my passions, even this one is here with me to stay. As any other journey even this Bollywood one of mine can get tiring, but after a short rest one can always start walking on it again, if only there is a spark of desire. How about you? How was your journey? Do you feel like resting now? Or will you match the steps with me for a while?
Edited by Ally Kumari, Dec 13 2012, 10:51 AM.
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Falky
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I love Sonu Nigam. Leave me alone! :P
Great article. :clap:

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Ally Kumari
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Anxiety girl

Thank you :hug:
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Maggi Noodles
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<3

Amazing article :clap: :D
Except I'd never show Om Shanti Om to a newbie -_- I hate that film with a passion :P

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Ally Kumari
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Anxiety girl

Interestingly enough THAT is the one loved by ALL 30 people I have shown it to. I was really scared they wouldn´t understand the humour because loads of it is more for the "insiders", but absolutely nobody did mind :eek: They loved it. OSO - and DTPH. Two films that get loads of flak on this forum.

And thank you :)
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Falky
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I love Sonu Nigam. Leave me alone! :P
ya I've also shown OSO to people NOT into Bollywood films.....and they loved it. Other films they have liked have been Main Hoon Na, Kaminey, No One Killed Jessica, Lagaan, Munnabhai MBBS, Dhoom (the 1st one)....I am sure there are more and I can't remember right now. Films I thought people would like but they did not include Don, Jodha Akbar.

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Ally Kumari
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Anxiety girl

Another GREAT one to show to a new comer is - Aaja Nachle.

Other films that also worked were Rockstar and Saawariya.

The weakest reaction was to Veer-Zaara and Lamhe.
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Maggi Noodles
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HAILA. I hated OSO, but maybe it's just me :lol: :P

I'd rather show them Karz (Rishi Kapoor) :spin: -_-

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Ally Kumari
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I´d rarther not :lol: From personal experience I know that chubby Rishi in that shiny overal is NOT the best thing that should introduce them to anything :lol:
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Maggi Noodles
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I loved that :lol: OMG, I love the old Karz so much! Om Shanti Om song is epic :lol:

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AilaOoima
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Beautifully penned :)

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THE last two BEST CLASSICAL DANCERS of Commercial Hindi Cinema

Source: Javed - MUAAH <3 ya ;)
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Gulabi Ladki
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Mujhe Kam Na Kisi Se Aankiyo

Devdas fell flat for me when I tried to get someone into it - I had Andrew watch DDLJ and Fanaa almost at the same time and they both sucked him right in.

Great article :hug:
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Awaiting: Gulaab Gang | Queen | Shaadi Ke Side Effects | Main Tera Hero
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*lassi*
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mere mango lassi,,,,aih haiyeeee
Wonderful article Ally...love reading peeps bolly experiences :D
The names lassi...lassi Ji...
Lassi shaken not stirred....
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deeps!
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Perfffffect Article!!!! Loved it!
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Crazy4Madz
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Na Jaane Kahan Dil Kho Gaya
Awesome article and really well-written as always Ally! :clap:
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Ally Kumari
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Anxiety girl

Thank you both so much!
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*lassi*
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mere mango lassi,,,,aih haiyeeee
I would like to write something similar (though our experiences are very different)...do I have to create another topic or tag it here ?
The names lassi...lassi Ji...
Lassi shaken not stirred....
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Dingle
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THOR!

Id say put it here :D Allys article is brilliant and got me thinking back to my first bollywood experience too :lol:
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sig credit: http://dreamofspring.tumblr.com/tagged/jon%20snow
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