More natter about my latest mania (points to icon)

[amedia]

So we're watching Mohabbatein, which was recommended to us, and also stars a couple of our favorite actors--TODS is an admirer of Amitabh Bachchan, and we both like Sharukh Khan.

We're about an hour into it, and there's a comic-relief scene in which a clownish middle-aged man is trying to woo a highly-resistant middle-aged woman, and he's singing her a song . . . TODS paused when I gestured near the beginning of the song, and I said, "I know that melody! That's 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai'!" And indeed, it was. They had a lot of fun in the dialogue playing around with the lyrics until finally she slapped his face and stalked away. (Still, I kept hearing Uhura's voice from "Mirror, Mirror": "You know the rules. I protest, and you. come. back!")

So why is that the least bit remarkable? Because the same song was mentioned in Ra.One (of execrable memory). And it's featured in Dostana, when one of the guys arranges an informal outdoor theater so he can re-enact one of the dances from the movie Kuch Kuch Kota Hai while playing the music on his iPod. (Which means that Sharukh Khan, the star of Kuch Kuch Kota Hai and almost every other Bollywood movie since about 1990, appeared in Dostana even though he actually wasn't in Dostana--you can see him in the background on the impromptu movie screen as Kunal, in the foreground, is imitating his moves.)

Is this, like, the universal Bollywood movie song or what?!!! One of these days I'm gonna have to break down and actually see the movie Kuch Kuch Kota Hai, although it sounds even more soap-opera-ish than Kal Ho Na Ho, a well-regarded movie with which I had very little patience.

Comments

[bulleteyes.livejournal.com]

Please tell TODS that thanks to your Bollystavaganza I finally watched Slumdog Millionaire. Circuitous logic, I know. Wouldn't want to disappoint ;) I'd put if off for some time since I was around someone who took exception to Indian films. Now that I am not constrained I watched it with my young neighbor and was thoroughly delighted. We both took turns yelling both our support for the young couple and enmity for the bad guys. Wine was involved and yes, I am, as always, a good influence!

Woo Hoo.

[chorale.livejournal.com]

I'm still enjoying those Bollywood music discs you gave me. It's odd, My first reaction to violins is,"Meh, violins," due to an excess of the violin-based eviscerations of pop music my mom liked while I was growing up. The, the Pet Shop Boys changed my mind on violins ("Debussey and Che Guavara to a disco beat," sings Neil in one of their songs), but I still didn't actively look for music with violins in it. Now, I have these soundtrack discs, and they are lush with violins. It all sounds very romantic to me, and I love it. When school is out for the break in December, I will rent some of these movies so I can watch the dancing that I know is "mandatory" ;) for all Bollywood films to have. (I loved the dancing in Bride and Prejudice, the only Bollywood film I have seen so far.) (Oh, there was Satyajit Ray's The Home and the World, Indian title: Ghare-Baire, but that isn't Bollywood in any stereotypical sense. Still, I highly, highly recommend The Home and the World. The big kissing scene, about halfway through the film, is extremely intense, with both characters fully clothed and vertical. It makes most Hollywood sex scenes look truly gratuitous.)

*hugs*

[chorale.livejournal.com]

Gads, that was a long comment, and sort of off-topic, too! Pardon the run-on-ness of it, and the typing fail.

[kyleen66.livejournal.com]

How do you like Mohabbatein so far? Al-chan says it's her second favorite after Om Shanti Om. It's very long, but we both got a lot of enjoyment out of it. I did really cry at the end of it. It just made me feel... good.

:-D

[amedia.livejournal.com]

Huzzah!!!! I'm glad you are no longer constrained. *hugs* And wine improves many movies, including Bollywood flicks!

[amedia.livejournal.com]

They are very lush, aren't they?! I'm so glad you're enjoying them.

The Home and the World sounds like a very worthwhile film--I shall add it to the queue!!!

I bought some more soundtracks--couldn't resist Kal Ho Naa Ho and Dostana--when I get my act semi-together, you may be getting another disc!

[amedia.livejournal.com]

So far we're really liking it! Only one picturization so far (*pouts*) but I'm sure there will be more. The three kids are cute and each romance has an interesting angle, but I suspect learning SRK's backstory (which we've already guessed) is going to be more interesting.

[amedia.livejournal.com]

Never feel compelled to apologize for topic drift, at least on my blog! My friend, I always enjoy your comments, and I frequently learn from them. *hugs*