I've been watching Bollywood movies on Netflix for the past couple of weeks. I cannot get through a single movie in a night, but that's neither here nor there. I've got a lot to catch up on; it's been a while. Here's what I logged this winter break (and still counting):
- Chennai Express: 2013 with Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone (both from Om Shanti Om which I loved). Very silly. Stereotypes of South Indians abound. Also a long and bloody fight scene.
- Dostana: 2008 Abhishek Bachchan and John Abraham pretend to be gay to rent an apartment. Lots of John Abraham's awesome physique. Bad music. I was going to be offended about the gay stereotypes but the KISS and then the ambiguous ending made up for that.
- I, Me, aur Main: Briefly, I got on a John Abraham kick. Wouldn't you?
- Dil To Pagal Hai: 1997 with Shah Rukh Khan in his bad hair days. I think I should probably have seen this sooner. I already knew all the songs (which I love--old school playback singers). But Netflix had this on a timer, and the timer went off before I could finish the story!
- Lakshya: Totally my favorite film so far, a war drama based on the 1999 Kargil conflict (when Pakistan-backed armed forces infringed on the Line of Control in the Indian-controlled state of Jammu-Kashmir). Why did I love this? Soldier Hrithik Roshan of the two thumbs can dance and he shows it off in Main Aisa Kyon Huun. Also features Amitabh Bachchan and Om Puri in Experienced Soldier roles.
- Bunty aur Babli: Rani Mukerji and the Bachchans. I love the Bachchans. A few things I appreciate about this movie: the subversively DIY Hindu-ish wedding ceremony with innovative vows and explicit references to consummation. Rani's and Abhishek's constant costume changes. Amitabh in a Guy Noir role. The (to me, at least) amusing fantasy that a woman can give birth to a newborn the size of a healthy 3-month old in ten minutes, flee the police mob, and jump on a train. This review finds it an adorable Bonnie-and-Clyde send-up featuring "girl power" messages. Well, kind of.
