BOLLYWOOD-HOLLYWOOD: A Fusion Comedy of Romantic Errors

          MUMBAI: Even the so-called serious film-makers are now changing tracks. After successful films like '1947 Earth' and 'Fire', critically acclaimed director Deepa Mehta is back in international circuits with an out-and-out commercial comedy, ' Bollywood/Hollywood'. With the success of 'Moulin Rouge' all signs now point towards Indian style films being the next big thing in Hollywood. And India-born Mehta is more aware of the typical Hindi film genre.

           The 52-year-old film-maker made her debut with the feature film Sam and Me about a decade ago. The film told a poignant story of a friendship between an Indian immigrant and an elderly Jewish man.

           With 'Bollywood/Hollywood', she provides an accessible introduction as well as some intelligent observations on the success of Bollywood (Hindi film industry) in the Western world. The film starring Rahul Khanna and Lisa Ray was also premiered in the perspective section of the Toronto Film Festival in October. As the title suggests, the film is a synthesis of movie-making styles.

           Like a typical Hindi film, 'Bollywood/Hollywood' involves a Canada-based young dotcom millionaire who is rebelling against the traditions of his family. When his mother threatens to call off his sister's wedding unless he finds himself 'a nice Indian girl', he hires a Spanish woman to masquerade as his fiancee - only to discover that she is indeed an Indian, and later falls in love with her.

           For Khanna, who also acted in Deepa's '1947 Earth', working in 'Bollywood/Hollywood' was an enjoyable experience. "'Bollywood/Hollywood' is a very fun script. It's a romantic comedy, it's very light-hearted. It's a total blast. I had a really good time working on it and it was much more easier to work on, it was fun to work on because the material is so light and enjoyable," said Khanna, during the music launch function in Bumbai.

           With their bright colours, elaborate musical numbers that come out of nowhere and light, romantic themes, 'Bollywood/Hollywood' ensures that the viewer is an active participant as they watch musical score of her film. According to Chowta, music plays an important role in a film. "The title is so apt ... the whole film is in English and the music is in Hindi, so that's the Bollywood aspect of it. Deepa told me that you know all Indian cultures in Canada are derivatives of Hindi movies and are updated from time to time when a new movie releases. So definitely Bollywood sensibilities play an important role and definitely the music has a very vital place in this," said Chowta.

           It is not a film about East and West values as such. One would call it a hybrid film, a fusion film. Its composer is from Bollywood and its choreographer is from Toronto who works in Hollywood.

           Made at about $2 million, the film is believed to be a musical romantic comedy with cinematic sensibilities for both the East and the West. With the kind of response the film got in Canada, film-lovers in India hope 'Bollywood/Hollywood' will be a saviour for the dying Hindi film industry, which has not registered a major blockbuster this year.

January 3,  2003