Planet Bollywood?
Indian musicals are hip, sure, but the Hollywoodization of Bombay cinema may not be as imminent — or as desirable — as advertised
Working almost nonstop this year on Bollywood-related projects, for this publication and for Film Comment, tapping into the DVD mother lode and watching Hindi movies almost exclusively, I've begun telling people that I no longer think of myself as a tourist, but as a "resident alien" in Bollywood, increasingly comfortable and conversant with the local customs, even though I never expect to go native altogether, or to renounce my Hollywood citizenship. This assertion seems somewhat outlandish to some people, even to many Indians who claim to love their movies dearly. It elicits a wonderfully expressive variation of that all-purpose subcontinental gesture, the side-to-side head wobble, the exact desi equivalent of the French pout-'n'-shrug, which in this case unmistakably means: "If you are pleased to say so, sir, I have no response. I am much too polite a person to dispute this bizarre claim of yours."
Now Trending
-
Voice Places
Find everything you're looking for in your city
-
Happy Hour App
Find the best happy hour deals in your city
-
Daily Deals
Get today's exclusive deals at savings of anywhere from 50-90%
-
Best Of...
Check out the hottest list of places and things to do around your city
- Profile
- Newsletters
- Mobile
- Logout
-
Publishing:
ONOFF
