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A few Bollywood questions
	Topic by: DAsherman Posted: June 24, 2005 - 7:30 AM PDT Last Reply: July 21, 2005 - 5:45 PM PDT

author	topic: A few Bollywood questions
DAsherman	post #1  on June 24, 2005 - 7:30 AM PDT   Hi: When I was watching the Asian Variety Show on our local satellite channel, they had a soundtrack called 'Taj Mahal' on their top 10 list. I've looked for a current movie called 'Taj Mahal' but cannot find it. Did I imagine this? Also, a question for a friend: he wants to see a good Bollywood movie, but doesn't want to invest a lot of time. The shortest one I've ever seen is 'I Have Found It', but at two-and-a-half hours, that's too long for him. Other than that, I'm always looking for good movies with good music. Thanks.
dpowers	post #2  on June 24, 2005 - 8:51 AM PDT   most likely they're talking about taj mahal: an eternal love story which was released this year. sorry i haven't been able to find one site that gives really good info on it. the somewhat retro soundtrack is a pretty big deal, as it's by naushad, back from retirement.
Eoliano	post #3  on June 24, 2005 - 9:27 AM PDT   > When I was watching the Asian Variety Show on our local satellite channel, they had a soundtrack called 'Taj Mahal' on their top 10 list. I've looked for a current movie called 'Taj Mahal' but cannot find it. Did I imagine this? I think dp is on the money. You can listen to some of the music to Taj Mahal - An Eternal Love Story by clicking here. > Also, a question for a friend: he wants to see a good Bollywood movie, but doesn't want to invest a lot of time. The shortest one I've ever seen is 'I Have Found It', but at two-and-a-half hours, that's too long for him. The Bollywood Primer and GC's list of Bollywood titles might be a good place to start but you'll have to link to each title to check the running time...
underdog	post #4  on June 24, 2005 - 10:15 AM PDT   > On June 24, 2005 - 7:30 AM PDT DAsherman wrote: > --------------------------------- > Also, a question for a friend: he wants to see a good Bollywood movie, but doesn't want to invest a lot of time. The shortest one I've ever seen is 'I Have Found It', but at two-and-a-half hours, that's too long for him. > I think that pretty much eliminates any Bollywood movie I've ever seen! "Short" and "Bollywood" are fairly oxymoronic. However, perhaps the primer and list that Eoliano recommended will be a good start. I'll ask ggsuperhero here, maybe she has an idea. C
Shaky	post #5  on June 24, 2005 - 10:40 AM PDT   It's been a long time since I watched it, but I remember Bandit Queen being an excellent movie. It wasn't too long at 121 minutes. On the other hand, it stayed pretty serious and didn't have musical numbers. It's based on a true story of a woman who led a group of bandits, in part to get revenge for her own rape as a teenager. She became a folk hero, killed a lot of people and eventually became a politician. There are a few scenes that are a little rough to watch, but still a very good film.
underdog	post #6  on June 24, 2005 - 10:54 AM PDT   Bandit Queen's a great film, though as you suggested it's not a "typical" Bollywood film - more like, a film from India. Good movie, though. Btw, D, you didn't imagine Taj Mahal, apparently. It's a brand new movie which is why it's not yet on DVD. I'm sure we'll get it whenever a video release happens. Looks colorful.
DAsherman	post #7  on June 24, 2005 - 11:15 AM PDT   > On June 24, 2005 - 10:40 AM PDT Shaky wrote: > --------------------------------- > It's been a long time since I watched it, but I remember Bandit Queen being an excellent movie. It wasn't too long at 121 minutes. On the other hand, it stayed pretty serious and didn't have musical numbers. > I've seen Bandit Queen -- I remember thinking what a horrible life the woman had. I don't think I could've survived it. And, yeah, it was a great movie.
ggsuperhero	post #8  on June 24, 2005 - 1:44 PM PDT   underdog is right .. bollywood and short generally dont go together. i can't really think of any movie off the top of my head. if i do i'll post it here. sorry.
DAsherman	post #9  on June 24, 2005 - 2:38 PM PDT   Just wanted to say thanks to everyone who replied here. This place is a great resource. - da
kamapuaa	post #10  on June 26, 2005 - 2:59 AM PDT   If you want a short Bollywood movie, just fast-forward through the really stupid parts!
lizzoqops	post #11  on June 26, 2005 - 12:08 PM PDT   > On June 26, 2005 - 2:59 AM PDT kamapuaa wrote: > --------------------------------- > If you want a short Bollywood movie, just fast-forward through the really stupid parts! > --------------------------------- Our Bollywood expert : )
markhl	post #12  on July 18, 2005 - 11:28 PM PDT   Breaking news. I actually was able to sit through most of a Bollywood movie when it played on the international channel. I wish I could remember what the movie is called though. Perhaps one of you could fill in the title for me. A VERY rough premise: (I may be mixing up the characters a little btw) There's a guy who returns to India after living in Australia (as a championship-level racecar driver?). Apparently, he falls in love with a blind violin-playing girl who had a crush on him from childhood. Also present is this REALLY bizarre looking bald guy who acts like a father to the racecar dude (for reasons I shall not divulge for fear of ruining the movie). So this protagonist has to decide whether to sell his home and continue his dream/career or stay with the girl. That's the jist of it. I hope that's enough detail. There weren't too many mob dance scenes in this one so the music video segments weren't as annoying as some others I've watched. Now name that movie! :)
markhl	post #13  on July 19, 2005 - 5:27 PM PDT   Well, a mysterious masked man have dropped off a note with the title, Janasheen, on it. And survey says... he's correct. Apparently this movie is a horrific example of a bollywood film but a couple of elements made me go hmmm.. 1. The main characters had english names - one of them being "Lucky".. 2. The characters were mixing full english phrases (not just words) and hindi? phrases when speaking to each other. No real pattern to the language selection either. So are these things the norm in bollywood films and more importantly, do people do these things over there? Inquiring minds want to know... :)
underdog	post #14  on July 19, 2005 - 6:10 PM PDT   > On July 19, 2005 - 5:27 PM PDT markhl wrote: > 1. The main characters had english names - one of them being "Lucky".. > > 2. The characters were mixing full english phrases (not just words) and hindi? phrases when speaking to each other. No real pattern to the language selection either. > > So are these things the norm in bollywood films and more importantly, do people do these things over there? Inquiring minds want to know... :) > --------------------------------- #2 is definitely a common pattern in Bollywood films (and maybe Indian culture in general), but not sure about #1.
kamapuaa	post #15  on July 21, 2005 - 5:45 PM PDT   Oh Man, that movie sucked! Anyway it's maybe a little common as a nickname for girls to use a silly English name. And the switching between English and Hindi is very common. It's interesting to notice when English become most common - it tends to be when the young and wealthy want to seem chic, among other things. In the PRC you can't find the Bollywood movies like you can in HK, I'm jonesing after less than a week! I don't think any of the Bollywood movies are on Greencine watch, the licensing guys need to schedule some high-level meetings in Mumbai!