Wednesday, October 18, 2006

20 reasons why I luuurrve Bollywood...

While I'm on my self-imposed break from the story of how I became enraptured with Dharmendra, I thought I'd just remind myself and everyone else of the reasons why I love with Bollywood. After all, 'twas Bollywood that led me to Garam Dharam...
  1. It's pure escapism. I love a movie that succeeds in taking me out of my world for a few hours. I come back into my world feeling refreshed.

  2. The music is beautiful. I love the way the movies are scored. I love music and Bollywood loves music too!

  3. There is a zest for life in many Bollywood movies that echoes the way I feel about the world and about people.

  4. They are nice and clean for the most part... no unnecessary sex or gratuitous violence (although anyone who's seen SRK's 'Koyla' may choose to disagree about the violence).

  5. They remind me of how much I love my family.

  6. There's always a moral to the story... the movies remind me of important things I want to remember about life.

  7. Cheesy they may often be, but I love the fact that they make me laugh, cry, sing, dance and express all my pent-up emotion. Catharsis is very good for the soul!

  8. The actresses are so beautiful and so beautifully-dressed, and I get beauty tips, plus general beauty-style-and-grace inspiration, just from watching them.

  9. I am intrigued by Indian culture, Indian religions, Indian food, and all things Indian... and Bollywood movies depict India (although this is not strictly true).

  10. The actors are kinda hot sometimes. I especially like my SRK.

  11. The emotional nature of the movies indulges my innate love for drama... and it's all external to my life. I get to watch and feel the drama without actually being steeped in drama in my everyday life. It's quite cool.

  12. There are interesting parallels between the Indian world depicted in Bollywood, and my Nigerian world. (e.g. calling people you aren't related to 'Aunty' and 'Uncle'; the extended family system, respect for elders)

  13. They are just so entertaining and FUN!

  14. You can watch them over and over again, especially because the music is so lovely.

  15. They kept me company during a low period of my life... and did a great job of it.

  16. There is a lot of talent in Bollywood: the actors (see my faves list in the sidebar of this blog), the musicians, the playback singers, the stuntsmen, the costumiers, the hair and makeup people, the directors, the choreographers... when it all comes together it's like a colourful Holi festival of creativity.

  17. They are unique, different from anything else out there... and for me, different is good.

  18. The movies are deep... oftentimes they are multilayered, because of the highly intuitive method of filmmaking. The depth is not forced or over-planned, it's instinctive, and this makes the metaphors and connections even more precious when you find them.

  19. They are colourful and can keep your eyes glued to the screen cos there's just so much going on.

  20. You get everything in Bollywood: the more commercial 'masala' flicks ("Kuch Kuch Hota Hai"), the more serious ("Black") / offbeat ("Company") pictures, the comedies, the tragedies, the really good movies, the terrible movies ("Insaniyat") ... it's a varied world, contrary to popular perception.

I could go on, but it's 20 reasons after all. Bottom line: I LOVE BOLLYWOOD!

16 comments:

Uzo said...

Oh yes, yes yes. A fellow Indian lover like me. Oh wow. I so agree with you on everything. We may differ on some of our favorite actors and actresses....but oh wow.

Salman Khan i still love. SRK can do nooo wrong and can i scream the Big B's name. Oh my. Soooo cool. I am saving for a trip to India next year. In terested?

Daddy's Girl said...

Girl, I have been dreaming of India, been saving up, hope I can save enough by next year... let's keep in touch and see how it goes.
Please forgive me for not liking Salman, I like him in some of his movies but...
Anyway, it's so cool to find another Nigerian India-lover! I'm so excited! Thanks for stopping by, Uzo.

Maja said...

Hi DG, first of all thanks for all the comments on my blog, I'm really glad you like it and hope you stop by again sometime :)

I couldn't agree with these 20 reasons more, great list. Nice lists of actors and actresses in the sidebar too, although I have to say I'm shocked there's no sign of Abhishek anywhere! *gasp*

Can you recommend some good Dharmendra movies? I've only seen him in Sholay so far and I want some more :)

Uzo said...

You are welcome but i see u missed 2 actors i like Sunil Shetty and Abhishek Bachchan....

Daddy's Girl said...

@Maja: I will definitely be visiting your blog again because I love it. Thanks for your comments. Unfortunately I am a really crappy Dharmendra fan, as I have only seen... wait for it... 4 of his over 200 movies. I know, it's pathetic. I kinda sorta saw 'Pyaar Kia To Darna Kya', which would've made 5, but I blame Salman's shirtless dance number for not letting me finish it. But, back to Dharmendra picks, I would recommend 'The Burning Train' (1980) and 'Ghazab'(1982). Ghazab is really kitsch but I like it. Beth (she who loves Bollywood) recommends 'Chupke Chupke' (also starring Sharmila Tagore) and although I haven't seen it yet, I trust her judgement. I haven't seen too many Abhishek films, but I really liked him in 'Bunty aur Babli' and 'Kuch Naa Kaho'. Plus, he's actually quite hot (especially as 'Bunty'). So, bas, I am adding him to my list. I am seeing 'Bluffmaster' this weekend, but please recommend any other good Abhishek films.

@Uzo: I am adding Abhi but haven't quite made up my mind on Sunil. I liked him (evil though he was) in 'Main Hoon Naa', but the only other movie of his I can remember is 'Hera Pheri'. He was good in it but the movie itself was a bit too camp for comfort (there was a song where they were going 'pawhn pawhn pawhn' every other second). I know he was in 'Kyun! Ho Gaya Na' but I didn't like that movie, so didn't really notice whether he was good in it or not. Can you recommend some other movies guaranteed to make me like Sunil?

Anonymous said...

Hey girl, I need you to make some Nollywood recommendations for me! That's the next thing I'm wanting to check out.

Thanks for stopping by the blog. Glad to know I'm not the only one with random tastes!

Daddy's Girl said...

Hey T-Hype, here are my Nollywood newbie picks: 'Violated', 'Out of Bounds' and 'Keeping Faith'. Those 3 are a good place to start. Wish I could tell you where to find them, don't know if there's a secure place to buy them online... but let me know if you need me to find out! Thanks for stopping by!!

Beth Loves Bollywood said...

I decree everyone must watch Chupke Chupke and then go post a comment about how much you like it on this blog http://jagahdilmein.blogspot.com, whose author recommended the movie to me.

Interesting list. Can't say I agree with every single one (especially #18, I'm still pondering that one), but still fun to read!

Daddy's Girl said...

I know, I almost disagree with my #18 myself. I was in an emotional mood when I did that list I have seen sooo many Bollywood films that were not deep at all (and certainly not original).... but a few that were so deep I was thinking about them for a while...
I'm thinking of adding a #21: Even when Bollywood is really bad, it's still very entertaining.

Ms. May said...

Wow. You are areally a fan. I enjoy Indian movies too but I don't have the chance to see a lot of them. I think I saw more Indian movies when I lived in Naija Two of my faves though are Ye Vada Raha (The Promise) and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. And Indian food is the *ish. After having lived in England especially...nothing like a good Biryani or Korma or Tandoori or...well, you get the picture...LOL. Great blog(s)

Daddy's Girl said...

ms. may, you have just succeeded in making a girl very hungry!! Yep, Indian food sure tastes good. Thanks for dropping by my blogs. Unblievably, unlike almost every other Nigerian, I have not seen 'Yeh Vada Raha'. I have been looking for it, but the only copy I could find had no english subtitles, and although I'm a fan... I no fit translate hindi o. Anyway, take care!

Uzo said...

I fell in love with Sunil in Main Hoon Na as well. Check him out in Dhadkhan. Why dont you like Salman Khan?

Nollywood recommendation....I just added this to my liste - Games Men Play

Daddy's Girl said...

Hey Uzo, interesting about 'Games Men Play', I've heard it's a good one. Am going to look for it on the way home tonight. Why I don't like Salman? Girl, make we gist that gist later. The list long small. LOL

bollywooddeewana said...

Lovely blog, went through all your posts today, there's something about we Nigerians and bollywood

Lots of Love
:0)

Daddy's Girl said...

There certainly is, bollywooddeewana... thanks for your comments, you're doing a great job with your blog, I'm loving it!

bollywooddeewana said...

you're welcome daddy's girl, your blog was an inspiration to me as well