What makes me interested in Hindi movies? Well could it be the catchy and sometimes funny synchronised dance moves, or could it be the vivid representation of their culture in the movies produced or how about the beautiful storyline spun by marvellous writers. In fact it is all of these that make me love Bollywood. And as I got older, well I can’t deny the fact that I found most Bollywood actors to be hunky and oh so, tall dark and handsome! *wink*
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| John Abraham |
There was a time when I was a child around 5 years old, I would go crazy over Shah Rukh Khan, just because he was so suave in those movies he acted in. I even pestered my mum to get me a cassette of his songs (Yes cassette, there were no CD’s back then... gawd I feel so old!) only to find out later on that it wasn’t him singing all those songs, boy was my little naive heart, broken. My first favourite Hindi movie has got to be “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ oh the fun we would have in school making fun of the dancing and the title. My friends and I will hide behind the wooden pillars in school, slowly peep out from behind it, nod our heads from side to side while singing “kucha kucha hota hai” and we would collapse on the ground laughing hysterically. Also not to forget the melodious chanting of "Tumpah Se Air" (the song 'Tum Pase Aye' in 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai') whenever water is spilled. "Tumpah" in Bahasa Malaysia means "Spill" and "Air" means "Water".
Though years have passed, and the hype of Hindi movies has sort of “left the country” my love and appreciation for Hindi movies hasn’t faltered. In fact I grew to appreciate and enjoy the different stance Hindi movies take on in the world of media. For example, unlike all those common American or English movies, every Hindi movie is a musical with catchy meaningful songs and most of the time brilliant choreography. Dance numbers of Hindi movies has evolved through the years and no longer comprise of just running around, hiding behind trees and rolling down hills, but instead has incorporated hip hop, ballet, and modernised some original ‘bollywood moves’ how international of them. Well well, talk about international standard, that has definitely been achieved by Indian films. Another interesting thing about Hindi movies is that nothing is impossible no matter how ridiculous it might be. Flying cars, Indestructible heroes, karate moves that beats even Shaolin monks, you name it and Bollywood has made it happen!
Furthermore their sense of humour has the tendency to make you laugh till you cry. There’s humour in every genre and you’ll be laughing about something or other may it be crazy antics by possessive mothers, warm loving fathers, best friends who can never do anything right or even something as simple as a facial expression. Need a laugh? I suggest you pick up movies like ‘Golmaal Returns’, ‘Dostana’ or even ‘Kambakkht Ishq’. Besides that, the romance is just wow! The way Bollywood movies are written makes you fall head over heels for the hero and wish you were that lucky beautiful girl in the movie instead of just being a mere spectator. Movies like ‘I Hate Luv Stories’, ‘Jab We Met’ and ‘Pyaar Impossible’ will leave you with many "awww" moments and that fluttery feeling in your stomach.
However, don’t underestimate these movies to be just ridiculous, funny or having no ‘substance’. You’d be surprised, try ‘3 idiots’, ‘Aashayein’, ‘Fanaa’, ‘Paa’, ‘Rang De Bansanti and ‘Paathshaala’ there are some scenes that can really leave you in tears, some just leave you inspired and some makes you want to make a change in your lives. That’s another reason I admire Bollywood, they manage to make entertaining movies that grasps the viewers and at the same time incorporates love, culture and some serious issues too.
Now if only Malaysian movies could be the same. Well, we’re getting there, but it’s a painfully slow journey to the top. The glory of Malaysian movies seems to have died with the legends. P.Ramlee, you will always be an inspiration and an example to follow. Don’t get me wrong, we do have some wonderful movies in the modern times like ‘Sepet’ and ‘Papadom’ but most of the movies produced nowadays aren’t even worth watching unless you like watching annoying ‘mak ciks’ (aunts/ old ladies) trying to be young and talking in an exaggerated foreign accent, unfaithful husbands who legally marries 3 wives and unbelievably funny ghosts/ monsters. Gradually we are improving and I do hope we improve more, and who knows one day in the future they’ll be someone blogging (or whatever futuristic social thought-sharing technology) about Malaysian movies and how it touched and became a part of their lives. I’m dreaming of that day to come and if only I can be a part of it *dreamy smile*
Signing out,
Bollyfied