Bollywood, anyone?
Jan. 1st, 2008 10:00 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ladymirthBollywood, which is the Indian version of Hollywood, is famous for two things - cheestastic yet oddly lovable movies and a proliferation of music that is a religion unto itself, even if you don't like the movies they appear in.
I admit, I am one such devotee. This is mainly a New Year's gift tobelladonna_tb , who introduced me to the glory of Rascal Flatts, but it's also an attempt to see if I can convert any of you other Western folks' musical sensibilities to appreciate the Mumbai vibes. =) I'm also including links to the videos, because I find that heightens my appreciation of the songs themselves.
I know that this stuff is all old hat toelluxion , lostprincess87 , dm_hpcrazy and purplephoenix03 , so I ask them to kindly yawn and scroll down. Nothing for you to see here, folks. ;-)
Kal Ho Na Ho (Tomorrow May Never Come) is one of the most beloved Hindi films to come out this decade, and its title song played on everyone's radio in the Eastern hemisphere for longer than "My Heart Will Go On". It also skyrocketed the already major Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan's career to new heights. (Video)
The second most popular song in the film, Maahi Ve (My Love), arguably stayed on the air waves even longer, because it's just one of those that are way too catchy and upbeat to really die. Within months of the films release, school girls all over over South Asia had memorized the dance routine and it became a pop cultural sensation. (Video)
A more recent Shah Rukh Khan film, Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna (Never Say Goodbye), despite a star-studded cast, stunning sets and gorgeous musical scores had a script that was doomed from the start. I don't think anybody had very much love for this movie, but the title song was a mega-hit. (Video)
Mitwa (My Friend), also a song of this movie, is one of those songs that make you feel unreasonably happy every time you hear it. This song was made for an award-winning dance routine, and I had high hopes for a repeat of the "Maahi Ve" era, but it was not to be. I was thoroughly disappointed to see the half-assed choreography that had been afforded for this wonderful little number. (Video)
Tu Jahan (Wherever You Are) is a hauntingly beautiful, melancholy melody that originated from a rather unlikely source - Salaam Namaste, which was a romantic comedy hit. The movie itself is, in the words ofpurplephoenix03, "cheesy, improbable and cutesy as all hell". It's one of my favourites, largely owing to the funny and the phenomenal chemistry between Saif Ali Khan and Preity Zinta (formerly of Kal Ho Na Ho fame). Plus, Saif spends a large amount of time without his shirt on, which more than makes up for the fact that the last scene of the movie was a shameless Nine Months rip-off. *nods at this logic* (Video)
Rasiya (Lover), is a soundtrack from one of the great Bollywood classics of our time, Mangal Pandey: The Rising. Unbelievably erotic and yet restrained with it's lesbian overtones and heterosexual love scene coupled with the spice of gypsy abandon, I find the choreography on this video one of the best executed in the industry. The music itself is so evocative that our imaginations alone would have been enough, but the video actually brings the fantasy to life...in a more PG-13 way. *g* (Video)
Sare Sapne Kahin Kho Gaye is not from a film, but a stand-alone album number from the famous playback singer Alka Yagnik, and has been one of the songs closest to my heart from childhood. The song itself is mellow and haunting and romantic enough, but the video was one of the sweetest I have ever yet seen,and the actress that starred in it was one of the prettiest. I hunted for this one far and wide, but this is the best I could do. The quality isn't the best, but it's the only place I could actually find it. Ah, internets, you have failed me! YouTube, what good are you? (Video)
I will understand if this isn't everyone's cup of tea, especially since this is a whole different genre, but I'm interested in what you think. Feedback, peoples?
(All songs are linked to downloadable sendspace files and all videos linked to YouTube, except the last one.)
I admit, I am one such devotee. This is mainly a New Year's gift to
belladonna_tb , who introduced me to the glory of Rascal Flatts, but it's also an attempt to see if I can convert any of you other Western folks' musical sensibilities to appreciate the Mumbai vibes. =) I'm also including links to the videos, because I find that heightens my appreciation of the songs themselves. I know that this stuff is all old hat to
elluxion , lostprincess87 , dm_hpcrazy and purplephoenix03 , so I ask them to kindly yawn and scroll down. Nothing for you to see here, folks. ;-)Kal Ho Na Ho (Tomorrow May Never Come) is one of the most beloved Hindi films to come out this decade, and its title song played on everyone's radio in the Eastern hemisphere for longer than "My Heart Will Go On". It also skyrocketed the already major Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan's career to new heights. (Video)
The second most popular song in the film, Maahi Ve (My Love), arguably stayed on the air waves even longer, because it's just one of those that are way too catchy and upbeat to really die. Within months of the films release, school girls all over over South Asia had memorized the dance routine and it became a pop cultural sensation. (Video)
A more recent Shah Rukh Khan film, Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna (Never Say Goodbye), despite a star-studded cast, stunning sets and gorgeous musical scores had a script that was doomed from the start. I don't think anybody had very much love for this movie, but the title song was a mega-hit. (Video)
Mitwa (My Friend), also a song of this movie, is one of those songs that make you feel unreasonably happy every time you hear it. This song was made for an award-winning dance routine, and I had high hopes for a repeat of the "Maahi Ve" era, but it was not to be. I was thoroughly disappointed to see the half-assed choreography that had been afforded for this wonderful little number. (Video)
Tu Jahan (Wherever You Are) is a hauntingly beautiful, melancholy melody that originated from a rather unlikely source - Salaam Namaste, which was a romantic comedy hit. The movie itself is, in the words of
purplephoenix03, "cheesy, improbable and cutesy as all hell". It's one of my favourites, largely owing to the funny and the phenomenal chemistry between Saif Ali Khan and Preity Zinta (formerly of Kal Ho Na Ho fame). Plus, Saif spends a large amount of time without his shirt on, which more than makes up for the fact that the last scene of the movie was a shameless Nine Months rip-off. *nods at this logic* (Video)Rasiya (Lover), is a soundtrack from one of the great Bollywood classics of our time, Mangal Pandey: The Rising. Unbelievably erotic and yet restrained with it's lesbian overtones and heterosexual love scene coupled with the spice of gypsy abandon, I find the choreography on this video one of the best executed in the industry. The music itself is so evocative that our imaginations alone would have been enough, but the video actually brings the fantasy to life...in a more PG-13 way. *g* (Video)
Sare Sapne Kahin Kho Gaye is not from a film, but a stand-alone album number from the famous playback singer Alka Yagnik, and has been one of the songs closest to my heart from childhood. The song itself is mellow and haunting and romantic enough, but the video was one of the sweetest I have ever yet seen,and the actress that starred in it was one of the prettiest. I hunted for this one far and wide, but this is the best I could do. The quality isn't the best, but it's the only place I could actually find it. Ah, internets, you have failed me! YouTube, what good are you? (Video)
I will understand if this isn't everyone's cup of tea, especially since this is a whole different genre, but I'm interested in what you think. Feedback, peoples?
(All songs are linked to downloadable sendspace files and all videos linked to YouTube, except the last one.)
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2008-01-01 07:33 am (UTC)Anyway, happy new year.
(My resolution for the year? Let me see... 1680x1050.)
(no subject)
Date: 2008-01-01 12:17 pm (UTC)The reason I can't find that funny is that My Dad does that ALL the time when we're listening to a Hindi song.
For example: Bige de duniya, biged nahi tho
Dad: (hearing it in Sinhalese) What? Tickets? Hey, they're saying they've run out of tickets!
Us: (sigh) Not funny, Dad.
It goes against the grain to laugh at Dad Jokes.
...I think this means you should be somebody's Dad, Paul. *g*
Anyway, that was a Kollywood movie (Tamil, not Hindi) and a nineties one. Even I wouldn't be caught dead listening to a 90's Hindi movie. They all routinely sucked.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-01-01 02:16 pm (UTC)...I think this means you should be somebody's Dad, Paul. *g*
Unlikely, at this point. But I'm quite happy being Uncle Paul.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-01-01 12:03 pm (UTC)KANK was great too… like you said the cast was good but the plot was gone to hell from the beginning.. Nevertheless I enjoyed it!
Ohh oHh Salaam Namaste was plush girl, it was! I still adore it., downright to the midnight craving for Ben & Jerry Dark Chocolate Ice Cream! Yummy!
Haven’t watched Mangal Pandey! Is it any good? Hmm you make it sound like it is! Shall give it a go! Thanks Babe!
Alka Yagnik is awesome…especially when teamed up with Sonu Nigam! *Swoooons*
It may not be everybody’s cup of tea but it should be mentioned that Bollywood movies are typical musicals, however, the actors don’t sing, but wit the heavy and steady uprising of Hollywood musicals I think this could turn out to be one heck of an Earl Grey! Enjoy Peeps!
(no subject)
Date: 2008-01-01 04:53 pm (UTC)Salaam Namaste is one of my favourite movies ever! Hee! Ben and Jerry's! And...Nikhil Arora! Humberrr! Nikhil Arora! A-ro-RA! Humberrrrr! Humberrrr! *is ded*
Mangal Pandey is one those Epic, historical, deep, thinky flims that is your duty not to miss. It's gorgeous, but not light-hearted.
Thanks for that last point, I forgot to mention it.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-01-02 04:30 am (UTC)and yes Nikhil was great was he not! Salaam Namaste rocks ma socks! :P
(no subject)
Date: 2008-01-01 05:27 pm (UTC)Happy New Year!
(no subject)
Date: 2008-01-01 06:08 pm (UTC)You too, hon! stick around LJ a little more often this year will ya? *hugs*
(no subject)
Date: 2008-01-02 02:03 am (UTC)I've just had the chance to download them all. Thank you soooo much!
Do you know, I actually have "Maahi Ve"?! It was one that I didn't have title or artist to. But, it was the only one of these that I already had.
And I love "Tu Jahan". *le sigh*
For this, you deserve more Rascal Flatts. :D
(no subject)
Date: 2008-01-02 02:12 am (UTC)I knew you'd love Tu Jahan. Did you see the video? It's right up your alley.
YAY! More Rascall Flatts! (But I think my sister is going to kill both of us. *g*)
I am going to do another music post soon. What do you think of Celtic music and Loreena McKennit?
(no subject)
Date: 2008-01-02 02:13 am (UTC)