because guests are as gods
Hey, everyone - hi. This is Beth. I am absolutely fascinated with the question of who is reading this, and my curiosity is further piqued by the growth of the happy little dots on my ClustrMap. Either there is some creative ISPing going on here, or I see people visiting from India, Singapore, Mauritius, South Africa, Europe, South America, Canada, and the US. (Special shout-out to Canada! I'm an honourary Canadian! I love you guys!) Anyway, hello to you all! I don't like how most guestbook thingies on websites seem to work, so instead I invite everyone who stops by to leave a little comment on this post (this will also be linked from the nav bar) and say hi and share why you like or are interested in Bollywood - and what brought you here. Thanks! And don't forget to have a snack before you go - they're on the table over there. Punch, too.
Comments
I started watching Bollywood-news TV years ago for the music (& jewelry/clothes commercials I admit) and over a year ago I found out some new family friends had some Bollywood, and I have watched happily ever after since then. I think I got here from "Beliefs, Blackness, and Bollywood".
http://greatestjournal.com/users/lavender_ocean
Angie, a fellow Bolly addict.
greetings from germany :)
michael
To everyone else, come visit me at Beliefs, Blackness & Bollywood. I can only hope to aspire to Beth's Bollywood greatness!
I happened to listen to the podcast by Kamla Bhatt and decided to visit your blog to find out about your fascination for Bollywood.
thanks a lot
I am Paresh from India and I am a fan of bollywood movies too.
Got to this blog by searching for something I don't remember now ;-)
However, the greatest Bolly couple ever (in my lifetime at least) has to be SRK and Kajol. Definitely. :-)
Anyhow, this is Nanette, a fellow Chambana Bollywood addict. I remembered your blog today because I'm cataloging the beginning (hopefully, it's just the beginning) of the Champaign Public Library's new BOLLYWOOD COLLECTION! Our director went to a presentation about Bollywood and Indian pop culture at PLA, and she came back with a list of 30 movies that we just purchased for the library. While my viewing has not been quite as prodigious as yours (79 movies? yikes!) I've seen more than a few three-hour epics. If you ever need a movie-watching partner or two, my husband and I are generally up for a movie.
I am from Orange County, CA, and am blessesd with theaters where we can watch movies instead of waiting for the videos....
I'm in Toronto. I enjoy the films. I've been to India a few times.
I also came here through listening to the Podcast :-)
After having the odd brush with indian movies over the years I started to get addicted after German television played K3G and Kal Ho Naa Ho last year. And since I am pretty obsessive with new stuff I watched about 150 Films since.
I've been watching for about 10 years, started with Hindi movies and also dabble in some Tamil (or Thamizh, as our hardcore Dravidian friends might write it).
I've also watched quite a lot of "alternative" cinema too, and one too many dreadful ABCD movies (oh the horror, never again).
Studied Hindi and Tamil in the past, the former definitely much easier.
This summer I'm going to hopscotch around the history of mainstream Hindi movies and become more familar with the classics and popular titles that have endured through the decades, and am keeping a running set of reviews at my blog, Filmiholic.com. I'll also be injecting reviews of the big summer releases, like Fanaa and KANK.
By the way, have you seen Dholi Saja ke Rakhna, starring your fave Akshaye and southern actress Jyotika? It's from about 6 years ago. Not the greatest movie ever, but a lot of pretty locales in Greece.
I'm Amy from Australia and I love your blog, it's awesome..i especially love the banners up the top, pretty cool. I love Bollywood but I love India even more!! I've had an obsession with India since I was a little girl and I love watching Bollywood movies because some of them do pretty good portrayals of Indian culture! I love Lagaan, that was probably the first one i watched..and it's probably my favourite still. I love Rani Mukherjee (she's beautiful), Aamir Khan (he's also beautiful), Aishwarya (who doesn't love Aishwarya?) and Kajol ( she just seems like a lovely person!) I want to go to India so bad!
I'm Lisa, from Berlin, Germany. I haven't watched bollywood for such a long time - yet ;-)
I really enjoy your writing about (bollywood) films, oh and the banners! Wish you a great time in India, and please write about it!
I shud say u have got a great blog, though I am sure u must have been told this umpteen times already!
I am from India, and do visit me at http://tvnair.blogspot.com
Hope u have loads of fun in India!
:)
I enjoy your reviews (and I agree that Asoka was SMOKING hot, whew!).
I found your blog through that rather odd circumstance of scrolling through a friend's blog, finding a link to another blog, which takes you to many other sites....so anyway! End result being this - I LOVE Bollywood movies, and always like finding other people who do. The thing with any art form is that its often how other people view the same presentation that makes it interesting - so its always good to figure out what other people are saying about Bollywood. (That sentence was way too self reflexive, but whatever!)
Keep blogging - I know I'll be coming back for more. By the way - LOVE the banners.
I'm Sheetal Makhan from South Africa. I have just stumbled across your blog and found it quite fascinating :) I, too am an avid Bollywood fan and have a few posts on my blog relating to random topics - more to come on Bollywodo soon, visit me when you can :)
Your friend in Bollywood and Blogging,
Sheetal
All the best..
hope to be a regular visitor to your blog.
I registered but for some reason my username nirvana_bliss is not recognized when i am trying to add a comment.......
Love your blog. Before I got here (through a process of circuitous linking that I can no longer remember) I had no idea Bollywood had such an international fandom!
Keep writing - it's funny, insightful and eminently relatable.
I have just recently gotten into Bollywood films, and I am slowly falling in love with all things Indian: the culture, the food, the beautiful women! Will be back to visit often.
I'm GG. I'm amazed to come across people who didn't grow up with Bollywood and can drive to see these movies :-)
GG
BTW, T-Hype sent me your way...
And you will probaly be amused to know that in a market in Delhi this summer, after failing to get me to turn to his stall with cries of "madam, madam, you will look? you will buy?", a shopkeeper said something about "gora" under his breath and I whipped around. I think I surprised him a little, but he was quick with more lines.
Stella - Helloooo and it's nice to meet you!
Nice to see your blog.
I am also very fond of Bollywood. I see lots of Bollywood films.
For you and everyone else, after you have seen Bollywood films, if you are interested to get the beautiful clothes and jewellery for yourself, you can shop for these, at our website, http://www.homeindia.com. We ship to any corner of the world! We have specific Bollywood outfits too.
- Sanjay
Keep up the good work!
Take care, B
http://bellevuetobollywood.blogspot.com
I too love Bollywood movies! I rent DVD's from the local Indian food store and now get Zee TV so I can watch the old movies late at night (on weekends). Found your blog on Talk News India, finally some people to "share the joy" with (my friends don't undstand the appeal of Bollywood)
I always thought Bollywood had to be experienced and couldn't possibly be written about. But you keep proving me wrong and I enjoy reading about it.
Best,
Aspi
carla (filmigeek.net)
Great blog. I read an article by Filmiholic in rediff and it opened this wonderful world to me. I am from India and though I am not a regular movie goer, I am curious to know other's take on Bollywood.
Btw, I love museums too.
http://movieslovemusic.blogspot.com/
My schtick with Bollywood is...
I am a political consultant. I also blog on my site as well as several other political blog sites. In order to inject some humor into the mix and shake things up a bit, I started doing "Bollywood Fridays" for which I pick an extra special Bollywood clip every week.
Worked like a charm ;). Political operatives can be so stuffy. It had to be done!
I was looking for some light reading..........and i found your blog... its a funny take on bollywood...and an intelligent one!
the bollywood ishtyle shows !!
I am a poet at heart, an engineer by education and an Instructional Designer by choice.
I am a voracious reader and i do love to pen down my musings.....some on my blogs and others in my diary..(the rustle of pen on paper still evokes feelings thats the keyboard can't !)
Greetings from Down Under
Your blog is very interesting.
I would recommend some good regional Indian movies apart from the interesting bollywood ones you have been watching.
For a start, please see the telugu movie "Anand" if you can find it in your local indian DVD store. It has english subtitles.
happy new year 2007
I am a huge Bollywood fan, and really like reading your blog. Keep the laughs coming!
I probably watched 8 to 10 Bollywood films in 2006, so I have watched around 60 films to date:
http://iwant2dancewithsrk.blogspot.com/2006/01/50-bollywood-films.html
http://myviewsonbollywood.blogspot.com
I'm Diabl020 from Mumbai!
I used to hate bollywood growing up here (it wasn't cool to say you liked hindi movies back then... Peer pressure )
but I realise how much I'm part of the craziness that is bollywood, whether I like it or not. Living in Mumbai, you breathe it in everyday... you can't escape it if you try..
-D
I'll poke around again later!
Since you like Bollywood so much, I was wondering if you would be interested in checking out http://www.desilassi.com.
I am helping spread the word about this website to all Bollywood lovers out there. (and of course in the process, i am helping out the illiterate people in India, visit www.planetread.org to see what I mean)
Cheers.
I am excited about the release and hope you will forward this email to all your friends, family and colleagues. I am working as all independent filmmakers do with a very small advertising budget, and depend heavily on word-of-email!
Come on out to celebrate this indie film with friends and family on Feb 23!
More info on the official website:
Official Film Website: http://www.IndianCowboy.com
Theatrical Trailer (on youtube): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifwreSHVuiQ
Cast Interviews (on youtube): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5-Uo1RyLMw
Much love,
Nikhil Kamkolkar
Filmmaker
Just wanted to let you know i love your blog. I grew up watching bollywood movies, that's how i learnt Hindi.
Looking forward to reading future blogspots!
Oh my goodness, thanks so much for leaving some comments on my new site! I was really excited. I think you're the first actually. I just started it for real a few days ago. I'm so ecstatic to have a place to put my thoughts about Bollywood and I am honored that you came and visited. I started watching Bollywood around the same time you did in 2004. I've seen so many movies since them and I always need to talk about them because I have so many thoughts in my head. I feel so silly that the idea of a blog didn't occur to me until a couple of months ago.
So I searched for Bollywood blogs, which is how I found you, and my first thought when I started reading BLB was, "Oh my goodness, this woman is a kindred spirit. She even works for a museum," which is totally a field I want to go into (I just graduated from college last May, so I'm still in that Oh-shit-what-am-I-going-to-do-with-my -life stage). So that's my really long way of saying, I agree, we totally need to be friends.
I'm originally from Phoenix, I went to College in Grinnell, Iowa, and I'm currently living half-way around the world in Macau (think Las Vegas, only next door to Hong Kong and without anything fun to do besides gamble). Thankfully, Hong Kong is full of Indian immigrants and I can easily get plenty of Bollywood movies, sometimes before they're even out in theatres. I'll be moving on in June, but goodness knows where. Maybe India!
As for a FPMBF, I don't know. Shahrukh and I were married for a while, but then I found out he had other girls on the side and that I would have to share him. Even so, he's the love of my life, but I think we've grown apart. We see each other occasionally still. After that Aamir Khan and I flirted for a while, except for then he wore one too many scarves and so now I just don't think that's going to work out. John, though...John's been slowly seeping into my affections with roses, puppy-dog eyes and grand gestures of love like romantic musical numbers with just enough nudity to be suggestive. He might be The One, even if he has cut his hair. I'm mad about that, but it will grow back. Yeah, I think I could settle down with John. I'll claim him.
Oh man, I'm crazy. So nice to have a space where I can be Bollywood crazy. I promise I'm not that crazy in real life.
Hm, that whole thing was more of an email than a comment, but it will go up here anyway, because I don't know what your email is.
I hope I'll be seeing you around!
Cheers,
Sophie aka Miss Bolly
I'm a newbie on your blog, but I've been looking for people to talk to about my interest in Bollywood music, films & trivia, so I'll be back!
Thanks.
Yves (from France)
PS: my (little) blog, for those who like to "think" about some aspects of Bollywood:
http://letstalkaboutbollywood.over-blog.org/
And I love Bollywood too. :)
i liked all of ur posts abt bollywood!
as ma mothertongue is hindi so it was natural for me watching hindi films!
well am a complete movie freak!!
i watched lot of hollywood movies!!
do you watch old black and white movies!
i luv those black and white marvels of dev anand!!his last gud movie was jewel thief!!
have un seen guide ??
solva saal?
teen devian?
cid?
these are some of his very gud movies !!
ok see you !!
bbye!!
I stumbled upon your blog, and I must say "you have a great blog"
If you don't mind post links to your article on my site http://www.bestofindya.com.
-Indya
its his best movie !!
based on R K Narayan's novel
well i will suggest you to see that !!
hehe its a nice movie!!
I've been staying up into the wee hours and neglecting my family for the past 2 weeks so that I could read your blog and follow the links. I'm from East Texas, Longview, to be exact, and while some of my friends are familiar with Bollywood, I am the only person I know personally who is obsessed with the subject. Thanks for all the work you put into this project.
Sharique Niazi
http://www.bollywoodone.blogspot.com
though i must tell you that many, many of us (excluding my husbnd amit) feel a profound DISlike for the bachhans these days, and as our rallying point, we have the southie super-annuated-hottie rajnikant! keep up the fun work :)
Someone check her card.Where's the bouncer?
cdrake.
i came across your blog via a link on aspi's page (i'm able to vent about my obsession with all things indian idol on there!)
i'm of indian descent but born/live in the UK, and have watched bolly for as long as i can remember... as a child, i recall wanting to grow up to be amitabh bachan. being female, and only able to reach a max height of 5ft5, it was an impossible dream *sigh* :o(
"tera mujh se hai pehle ka naataa koii/ yun hu nahi dil lubhaataa koii."
:) I am a Bollywood script writer. And I was googling the words " Zaalim Zamaana", thats when I stumbled upon your blog.
Moment of technologically enabled serendipity.
Keep at it.
Keep up the good work.
My name is Steven Baker. I'm a UK writer living in India. A lot of my work is connected to Bollywood and Indian Cinema. I came across your site, whilst researching material for an interview on the new SRK book. I think we may have both interviewed Anu?
With warm regards,
Steven
Gazelle - thank you! If you have any recommendations for me, please let me know - I know next to nothing about any of the other movie industries in India.
you can find my newest blog here on blogspot... firangsquirrel... ciao!
I'm sorry but i have no idea how i acme across your blog, this is not the first time i have visited. I first came across bollywood more than 1 and a half years ago by accident, when i flicked the channel over and began watching Kuch Naa Kaho, on a rarely watched channel. It's been a rough ride since then, but iv'e pushed through it :). I LOVE BOLLYWOOD!
I'm Aramita, from the UAE.
Big Bollywood fan. Love watching SRK movies the most. Doesn't mean I don't watch other Hindi films.
I have just opened up a blog on Bollywood too, as I love reading and writing reviews.
Cheers.
I accidentally ran into your blog. It is really cool and refreshing. I loveeeeeee it. I am going to visit u often.
Incidentally, I along with a friend have started www.sunomusic.com, a 24/7 destination for Bollyood music, videos and news. Please check it out.
I am thinking of adding your blog in our site.
All the best and keep writing,
Suresh
You've got a good little site here & seems like quite a following too. Being a fellow Bollywood fan, I've added you to my feed reader. I'll be watching you ... :)
I'd say the top actors for me are SRK, Ajay Devgan and Akshaye Khanna.
Oh BTW, I think you're probably losing some potential comments based on the fact that you aren't allowing anonymous comments. Just a thought.
Adios for now ..
_ram-jaane'
Roxy123 - I hope you're still watching!
Aramita - What's your blog? I'd love to take a look.
Suresh - Thanks!
Ramchandra - Thank you! It's always great to meet another Akshaye fan. I've just seen Race today and thought he did a fair job, though the movie as a whole was disappointing. As for the anonymous comments, I'm sure you're right, and I regret that effect of the login requirements. But it's also cut down on a lot of the spam, commercial, and personal attack-like comments, so overall it has been worth it. I hope the different types of IDs that Blogger takes now have made it a little less painful.
I am Never Mind writing in from the US. I cam here from Aspi's. I grew up watching Bollywood and that explains my fascination. Now I have a quick question for you. Did you stalk me back to my blog? Because when you left a comment, I was actually here. Anyway, thanks for stopping by. I am super curious as to how you got interested in Bollywood. Looooove your blog especially the banner.
As for how I got into Bollywood, basically I got intrigued to learn about Indian movies before I saw Bend It Like Beckham, because on that movie's website there was a page where the director talked about the Indian film conventions she was using and/or winking at. I thought they sounded really interesting, so I went to my local independent video store, which has tones of international films, and chose something at random. And as soon as it was over, I thought "Where has this been all my life?!?" and was hooked :)
I have been a regular visitor of your blog ever since I discovered it a couple of months ago and absolutely love it. Have spent hours lurking around your blog but never realised there was a guest book till now! Guess you should have advertised the coffee more - the aroma would have drawn me here!
I came across your blog while looking for Shashi Kapoor movies online and stayed to read and read and read.... Speaking of our mutual favorite, I am planning to review some of his movies on my blog. The first of those reviews is up now.
Everyone, do check out my blog Old is Gold for reviews of my favorite old movies.
btw, m also looking for link exchange. this is my blog, have a look at it and reply me for the same at
admin.dsam {at} gmail {dot} com
www.downloadsongsandmovies.blogspot.com
I have been a silent reader of sorts on your blog for the last few months.
I can't remember how I got here, but here I am.
As I can see your an avid follower of Bollywood cinema and all that glamour, and your post on JBJ is one I still love reading. I come from the home of Bollywood, Bombay but I am in the U.S. currently to study.
Admin - Thanks for your comment! I don't do the free download thing, though. I want the creative people to get their money so they'll keep doing their thing.
ajit - I've been reading your site too! Nice to meet you. Thanks for the kind words. I think JBJ will have to be added to my collection very soon - so many good moments in it!
I have to do a very obvious plug here but for all you Bollywood lovers there's a newbie site that shows free movies, free TV and trailers of upcoming movies and oh, also interviews and celebrity gossip.
http://www.TinselVision.com
I am Aditya, from Hyderabad, India, and I am a regular Bollywood buff, though I hate to call it Bollywood. And yes I really like the movies churned out in their hundreds from Mumbai during the seventies. I am a big fan of Amitabh Bachchan, in the present generation of stars, I like Aamir Khan. Shashi Kapoor is also one of my favourites.
I stumbled across your blog by accident and a very interesting blog you have.
Aditya - Indeed, the 70s movies are superb! :) Thanks for stopping by!
I stumbled onto your blog and it made my day! I'm an American-born Indian in Chicago, and my parents inspired my love for Bollywood probably from the womb. I'm having major separation anxiety from filmi songs since I moved out of my parents' house. I feel like I'm missing out (and it's not as fun watching movies without them around, either.) I love your commentary and I look forward to reading more reviews!
Kiera - Ooooh, mysterious name! :) Your description is great - I'm sure most everyone around here knows exactly what you mean. Thanks for coming by!
won best feature at the Philly Big Bang for Victim's Song.
love all kinds of film.
Love Beth's take on Bollywood :-)
Fav movies (no particular order):
SATYA
SHOLAY
SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION
USUAL SUSPECTS
MIRCH MASALA
JAIT RE JAIT (Marathi movie with Smita Patil)
SHARAABI
THE BIRD PEOPLE IN CHINA
CIDADE DE DEUS
RASHOMON
YOJIMBO
ICHI THE KILLER
Fav current movie-makers (in correct order):
Takashi Miike
Q. Tarantino
H. Miyazaki
Guillermo de Toro
David Lynch
Pedro Almodovar
Guy to watch out for: Rajkumar Gupta (Black Friday, Aamir).
nuff said.
onto the posts.
Right now we have mostly SRK, since he's literally everywhere, and some of them are brilliant-- but we're kind of looking to branch out. We love the eighties stuff, of course, too. Anybody else love Mithun Chakraborty as much as we do? Did anybody else nearly DIE when he showed up in "Om Shanti Om"-- older, fatter, but still so much more graceful than SRK will ever be? (The part during "Deewangi Deewangi" where Mithun is demonstrating a very simple dance move).
Oh man, I'm running on. We keep forcing Bollywood on all our friends but nobody seems to love it quite as much as we do, except for "Kondukain Kondukain," which was a huge hit. We're going to try them on "Hum De Dil Chuke Sanam" next, but Salman Khan is such a liability.
Speaking of, we're off to watch "Karan Arjun" now. Sorry for babbling in my excitement to air all that. Thanks for having such an interesting blog!
I have been meaning to see Mirch Masala for awhile now - I need to get to it! I'm woefully ignorant of Japanese cinema - looks like that's one of your favorites. I haven't seen any Rajkumar Gupta yet either!
Ellie - Thank you! I know the familiar of not being able to hook friends as much as you'd like to :) Does Austin have some good rental sources? It seems many college towns do. As for Mithun and the 80s...eeek, you're braver than I am. I've only seen him in a few things, but based on those I'm not on board with your take on him as graceful ;) Good call on Salman being a liability - though I have showed that one to at least one newbie and she loved it. Please keep me posted on what else you're watching!
"Karan Arjun" was hilarious by the way-- not good, but hilarious. Early nineties Kajol and broody Salman (the worse he is, the more awards he's nominated for).
Comedy ability is always welcome.
Hello to Beth from SF bay area! I’m not sure when was the last time you heard this but You totally rock!!!
I've been following your blog for a really long time and finally decided to pop in and say Hi!
Totally enjoy the masala-ness of the Shashi era and adore him too..
The only difference in our tastes is my love for Lamhe.. I know you haven't watched it as yet.. yes, yes I'm quite the stalker.. If you haven't seen the Lamhe song parody on youtube then you must for it is a crime for any bolly lover to miss out such a gem!
~UK {my initials not the country}
UK - Helloooo and thank you for posting! I will head for said parody posthaste - I always appreciate tips from a fellow Shashi lover.
I know you're a Shashi fan ... but I am a hardcore Rishi fan. LOOOOVE the disco late 70s and 80s movies, like Hum Kisise Kum Nahin (Rishi Kapoor and Kajal Kiran), Zamane Ko Dikhana Hai (Rishi Kapoor and Padmini Kohlapuri) and Bade Dil Wala (Rishi Kapoor and Tina Munim). Squeeee for Rishi!
I definitely need to see more Rishi - and he's grown on me :) Yay for squee!
I just came across your blog through another blog on bollywood and kind of got hooked..:o) I haven't waded through all the posts though - yet.. :o)
I guess what drew me was the fact that you are not an Indian and yet seem to love Bollywood :o)I do not know too many non-Indians who love Bollywood. I live in Adelaide and while I have colleagues who will catch in an Indian movie once in a while as part of their multicultural experience, no one is really keen on Bollywood movies. The only non-Indian I know who loves Bollywood music (particularly Alka Yagnik songs) is a Canadian who I met online :D
But I am here because I LOVE Bollywood.. I grew up in the Mecca of Bollywood, Mumbai and it is really hard not to be involved in Bollywood at an early age although it was only in my teens that I started getting really interested.. I think it started with Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak - the story was refreshing compared to all the action flicks we had been subjected to until then and the songs were just one of the highlights of the movie (the main one being chocolate yummy Aamir :o))
And then there were a few other movies which had really lovely songs (Aashiqui being the path-breaker).. I have to admit I started watching movies because I loved the songs.. It kind of became like an addiction although I won't watch anything and everything that Bollywood churns out :o))
Anyway I think I'm rambling but I will definitely bookmark your blog and will look forward to many more interesting blogs :o))
It was so damn nice to read your blog. Although i havent read all posts, I have covered most of the movies on ur index....
I've been reading ur blog since last 12 hrs, and I must tell u it was a fantastic experience....
The fact that You seem to understand so much of our Movies, even the most sutble of things that are rooted in our culture instead... Hats off.....
Just that there are a few movies here & there, which you need to know more about our country to watch with a right perspective...
Anyways, I truly admire you for your love for Hindi cinema. Keep Penning....
Cheers!
I stopped by your movie site - I bet you have some recommendations for me? :)
My only complaint is that, Why haven't you reviewed 'Lagaan'?
Congrats for Filmfare. I am gonna buy it today, just because You have featured in it.
Meanwhile, I am also trying Blogging since last some years. It would be great if you have a look at that and give me some tips.
I would like you to watch so many films that are my all-time favourites, but for now I would recommend you the middle-of-the-road movies from the 70s which I grew up watching... :)
Those films were by stalwarts like Hrishi da, Bau Chatterjee and Gulzar.... and a They gave a new dimension to mainstream films that weren't the typical masala flicks, but yet were equally entertaining. They are
Chhoti si Baat
Khoobsurat
Aandhi
Golmaal
Parichay
Baaton Baaton Mein
Mere Apne
Also, since You loved Chashme Buddoor as much as I did, I would recommend you Sai Paranjpe's another of her delightful films 'Katha'...
Thats it for now. Hope to read your take on these ones (all of them) some day... :)
P.S. - I first of all hope You get all of their DVDs out there. ;)
cheers!
I have been following your blog for some time now and thought I ought to introduce myself. I am Michael from Oregon and my love for Bollywood knows no boundries (as my friends and co-workers will verify).
I am a State employee and a freelance writer (I interview vintage era actors/actresses for various Film and TV related magazines like Filmfax, Classic Images, Video Watchdog, etc).
I must add a huge congratulations on the write up about your blog in the new issue of Filmfare magazine! How cool is that!!
Am from Kolkata, India, currently in USA with my husband, an engineer. I've majored in English literature and have worked in various capacities as a journalist(freelance), copy editor, content writer, teacher (school) and tutor(IELTS/TOEFL/GRE. Bollywood is in our blood and even here, we do manage to watch almost all the recent stuff online or at the nearest theater, at the earliest.I can sit rhough 95 percent of B-wood films, however atrocious they might be, since I always believe in judging things for myself. I don't trust reviews as I think it's easier to trash a thing but it needs much more effort to try and praise it. Your love affair with B-wood provides proper perspective as you do seem to try your best with each film (despite the obstacle of faulty subtitles). Kudos!
Will sure be hanging around here a lot !
this is kaushik from kolkata (calcutta) I read full page article about your blog in filmfare magazine today morning at the hair-cut saloon near my place. Enjoyed the write-up on villain's den in PARVARISH. its my favorite too.
Surprise ! PARVARISH was showing again on a movie channel tonite ! after than i had to log it and visit your site. keep writing !!
I'm a university student and live in the Cotswolds, England. I only discovered Bollywood properly last September with 'Jodhaa Akbar' and have since seen around twenty more Indian films (including nearly all of Hrithik's, I am not ashamed to say!). Preity Zinta, Kajol and Ajay Devgan are some of my other favourites, and I'm not averse to a little Shahrukh either. I use LoveFilm to rent them - my list on there has quadrupled in size since! I really enjoy your blog, so thank you very much for making the world of Bollywood more accessible.
Thursa
P.S. Not sure if anyone on here has heard about this: http://www.tamasha.org.uk/wuthering-heights/
I've booked to see it and am really rather excited!
I just stumbled upon your blog from, I cannot remember where. I LOVE IT.
I'm from Trinidad in the Caribbean and of course there is a healthy love for the Indian cinema here. I try to watch 1 film per day, and my favourite is probably Abhishek Bachchan! xx
Michael - You are very famous around here via Memsaab's comments :) Thank you for stopping by!
Casuarina - :) "Whale of a time" is a fantastic analogy! Yay! I really appreciate your comments, especially because you're clearly a person who engages with words and stories and ideas. Thank you so much for saying hi!
kaushik - How fun! I love finding other folks who share my glee for Parvarish. :)
Thursa - Hrithik-watching is an approved strategy! :) I'm happy my site could be a good resource for you. And thank you for the link - I had heard about that awhiel ago but am glad to know of an update.
Tiffany - Thanks! And woot! more fans in the western hemisphere :) I feel you on the Abhishek.
Do drop by to mine for a visit sometime
bollywooddeewana.blogspot.com
Trish - Blast from the past - and I trust that you, like I, are still a nut covered raisin? :)
You and memsaab are a huge amount of inspiration to me. I am absolutely blown away by the amount of intense love tht u shower upon Bollywood (and I thought I am Bollywood's biggest fan, yea right)
What surprises me more is the fan following of Shashi Kapoor, Dara Singh and (omg) KN Singh, phew!!!
I have been blogging for quite some time now, but my blog (although it focusses on Bollywood) also features TV, Pop culture humour and Japanese anime etc. Here's my link:
http://www.oneknightstands.net/
feels awesome to be connected with you via such a beautiful blog.
Cheers!
Sujoy
I share your Shashi love and was overwhelmed with the generosity of this year's Shashi Week offerings.
I post here and there under one name or another - I'll stick to this one here from now on!!
VIRGINIA
Virginia - Yahoo! It's a delight to have you commenting - I've heard great things about you for years from a trusted source ;)
cheers
Meera
Shellie from Alberta, Canada. I was introduced to Bollywood nearly a year ago and was hooked immediately. Now all my time is spent watching, listening and learning all things Indian.
I found your blog through Filmi Girl: Falling for Bollywood. Great great site. I can read for hours! Thanks for all of the great links.
Shell - And yay Canada, even though I haven't been to Alberta! :) (I lived in Toronto for two years.) Thank you for coming by and the comments!
I am Dipak Jham from Dubai (UAE)
Just came across your Blog & have just stated enjoying it , still have to go thru the entre blog
70's Bollywood fascinates me to the extreme
Why dont you also post the Album Arts of the Movies also.
It's freshly switched from my old boring blog, so there's not much there, but I look forward to building and building and building!
My name is Jamie from Pittsburgh, PA. I LOVE Hindi movies too! I married an Indian and that is how I got into them. The first Bollywood movie I saw was Dil Chatha Hai, and it is still one of my favorites! Some others that I like are Rang De Basanti, Dhoom 2, Veer Zaara, and Lagaan. Aamir Khan is my favorite for sure. I will watch anything that he is in!
First time visiting your blog. Will bookmark your site!
As for albums, hmm...it never crossed my mind! Many of them are fabulous. There are a few music-specific blogs out there that may give you the fix you need. http://partiessareesandmelodies.blogspot.com/ and http://thirdfloormusic.blogspot.com/ are two that I like.
shell - Thanks for the link!
Jamie - Yay! I've yet to be disappointed in an Aamir Khan performance (though I disliked Ghajini a lot for various other reasons. Thank you for stopping by :)
Thanks for your great reviews. I'm a northern california refugee now in Bangalore, India. Not sure if this would qualify as a sales pitch, but if folks wants to watch movies, they are welcome to come on over to moovieshoovie.com.
Thanks,
Jo
Just found your wonderful blog...I recently discovered Bollywood through my love of costume dramas (and really all types of film). I'd seen all of the Gurinder Chadha films, but when I first saw Jodhaa Akbar I became a major Hrithik fan and delved into the Bollywood world! I've watched about twenty Bollywood movies so far and my favorites are Dhoom 2, Jhoom Barabar Jhoom, Luck By Chance, Jab We Met, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Mujhse Dosti Karoge and Saawariya.
Looking forward to reading more of your blog...
...also wanted to mention that I spent a year and a half at UIUC getting my library degree back in 1998-1999. I now work as a rare book librarian in Boston. We have a lot in common I think!
Best,
Kim
Shauna - Oooh "stalkerish"? For whom/what? Do tell! Good for you for diving into language learning - I have yet to find that sort of self-discipline. I'll look for you car-bhangra-ing next time I'm in CA. Bollywood zindabad!
PS Did you see Bollyviewer/Old Is Gold's post on movie versions of careers? V funny.
Jyotsna - Thank you for coming by! Nah, sharing movie sources is cool :)
Kim - Thank you! Her Bride and Prejudice was my gateway too. You're ahead of me on at least one film - I have yet to get my hands on Lucky by Chance and am very eager to do so.
And YAY UIUC person! You were here in the brief blip since 1992 that I wasn't....but we are fellow alums! I finished GSLIS in 2002. Boston seems like such a wonderful city to be in - and to be a librarian in! So glad you introduced yourself :)
I found your blog through Memsaabstory, which I'd read about in Filmfare. I've been a Bollywood junkie all my life, and seeing how people from around the world react to Bollywood (sorry, Mr. Bachchan!) films is an education in itself. Needless to say, your blog is funny, witty and interesting, and I keep coming back! In fact, you've inspired me to finally start blogging about Bollywood and beyond, something I've been planning to do forever, and I'm setting up shop at www.thisthatandnaachgaana.blogspot.com! Keep up the good work!
And it does seem Mr. Bachchan has lost that battle, doesn't it - though I probably wouldn't have named my blog what I did if I had known at the time what I know now. I'll be reading your site (which definitely does NOT need a new name - well done)!
I'm Alex, and I quite obviously love Bollywood. Since... early 2007, I believe? But I haven't watched nearly as much films as I'd like (50, and a large number of those were on youtube before it went copyright-crazy), so excuse my ignorance on some things!
That said, really enjoying your blog! (are you going to post about seeing SRK this weekend? Pretty please? xD Just read Nita's post, and I'm sooo happy for the both of you!)
Oh, one question-- how did you get a rotating header? I'm on LiveJournal right now, but trying to set up a blogger/blogspot account to see which one I like more.
I'm Martin. I just randomly found this page on a bored afternoon! I like it.
I'm originally from England but am currently in Bangladesh.
My first Bollywood movie was a subtitle-less 'Kuch kuch hota hai' in a cinema. Although I didn't entirely know what was going on a knew enough to know that this was fun! Since then I've become big Bollywood fan. I even read Filmfare now!
Now I've found your site I'll do my best to contribute.
best wishes,
Martin
I know we've gone back and forth a bit on Twitter, so just by way of introduction I'll say I'm Gauri Radha, I post as Gauri on Bollywhat Forum. I'm 35, I'm a dancer, I live in Los Angeles. And I'm a devoted Bollywood fan like everyone else here.
I feel like I'm a little late to the party, I've been slowly (and only recently) discovering the online world of Bollywood content in various websites, blogs, Twitter, and places like LiveJournal where I just joined. Very exciting and cool!!
I am enjoying your tweets!! And I have bookmarked your blog and look forward to reading all the reviews you have posted.
Cheers,
Gauri :)
It started with a trickle... I really fell in love with the costumes first - "Bend it like beckham", "Monsoon wedding", "Bride and prejudice", "Salaam Bombay".
Then I've discovered the Indian channel on TV that showed desi music clips on weekend mornings, and slowly started to learn who's who and what's going on. Before long I started humming the songs and pretending that I could dance to them.
On a recent flight I chose to watch the Bollywood films on the menu. I caught "Guru", with aish and abishek. On the way back - "Rab ne bana di jodi". For the record - I loved it and loved Shahrukh in it. The amount of tears shed in that movie astonished me.
Once I was home I went and bought two more dvd's(The fantastic Jodhaa Akbar and so-so Umrao Jaan) and developed a HUGE crush on Hrithik Roshan - but then again, I'm very, very weak when it comes to great dancers.
This Friday I'll be at the store again and see if I can get "Luck by chance".
I'm a newbie so I'm happy to receive recommendations!
I think I was reading Paisa Vasool (which I found through some Google search or other) and followed a link here. I've enjoyed reading your posts so I thought I would say "hi." Living here in Iowa, the internet is a blessing in helping me with my Bollywood obsession because I can connect with other people who share it.
Margaret - Thanks!
Sarah - Yay midwest! (I'm in Illinois.) I bet the more you dig around, the more Bolly peeps you'll find.
Wandered in from The Bollywood Fan. Love your blog and will visit again:)
I'm an obsessed-South African-Bolly-fan. Have to drive about 200 kilometers to see a Bolly movie, but it's always worthwhile.
And the Postal Service ... definitely my best new friend. Import import import!
Take care,
Liesie
(And to Cou2ure-the song Priyanka and Co. are dancing to at her dinner party in Dostana is Beedi from Omkara. What a hilarious scene!!)
-Melissa :)
It'd be pretty hilarious to figure out the net amount spent by Bolly fans worldwide on movie imports! India could add it to its GDP :)
Bomaby Talkies - Hiya! I envy you living in DC (I'm a museum junkie) :) Thank you for stopping by. Our stories are very similar - though it was Bride and Prejudice that got me started down the track of Indian cinema.
Thanx for the link! My Bolly-list is growing c",)
Hey, we actually have a carpool going here! We are three or four that tackles the long road to the Bollywood movie every month or so.
Mmmmmm, very protective over my Bolly imports. Have a few upset friends ... seriously what do they expect?! LoL, I slave my behind off getting my hands on the movies!
~Liesie~
I'm in the SF Bay Area. I've been watching BW about ten years now and ever since I discovered have just loved it. I only get out to the theatres maybe once every two months, and so mostly watch on dvd. But I am lucky here to have several places that play Bollywood (and regional Indian) film.
Thanks for a great blog.
Diane - Thank you! I hear you're in a great spot for film-watching. You should also check out the wonderful blog by another San Franciscan who has a special flair for 60s and 70s madness: http://diedangerdiediekill.blogspot.com/
dink213 - Taal came early in my history too. Welcome to blogging (I've left you some comments already this morning) and I look forwad to seeing you in the conversations :)
Like your blog very much. I like Shashi but nowhere near as much as you do. I loved your analysis of Sharmilee. I only recently started watching Bolly and fell in love with it --or rather I fell in love with the 60/70s heroes and their gaily dressed heroines. My previous lack of Bolly appreciation is somewhat strange since I am after all Indian-- Indian-American actually but living in Europe.
I'm a movie critic in Bombay and I love the movies too! Even if it's a crap movie, I can't not watch it!
Love ur blog, there's so much to read!!
la profe - I am fascinated to hear this! I have for years wondered about this exact connection. Can you send me a citation to your paper?
Veen - Just read your Parveen Babi post - I guess I knew most of that already but was still really sad to read it again. You chose some great pictures too!
Lovely blog!
PS Your blogger profile says you work in museums/libraries - me too!
-TB
Or you can watch me dance at http://www.youtube.com/anandinidance
-----original intro-------
Beth - I'm so glad I found your site. I'm currently in NYC, lived in Chicago before that, grew up in the Metro Detroit area. Have lived and breathed Bollywood my whole life ... love it to death with all it's cheesiness. Don't understand where my background dancers are, or why I can't walk in a room in slow motion for the benefit of all male admirers. Have a white sari ready for a rainy day. My golden faves: late 70s and 80s Amitabh and Rishi Kapoor, Sridevi, Rekha, Sachin (Sunny from Satte Pe Satta), Madhuri. Current faves: Abhishek & Ash, of course. Also love Preity & Rani flicks. Much respect for SRK, despite the see-through shirts. Southern flavor: love Vikram, Madhavan, Surya, Jyothika, Simran, Trisha and Asin. Shame-faced past: Once had Salman plastered all over my walls. I was fourteen, ok??? By the way, I am a Bharatanatyam dancer and a reigning Antakshari champion.
I can go on and on and on, but to quote Frost, I have miles to go...
and so I will limit myself to saying
thank you.
here's to more great reviews :)
Amaluu - WOOT! Your blog is soooo much fun! And clearly another Boston Bolly meetup must happen!
Nabeel - You crack me up! Thanks so much for joining in! :)
I’m Jun Bae Foreign Press Coordinator and Publicist for Pusan International Film Festival(PIFF).
We’d like to invite you to 2010 Pusan International Film Festival!
Pusan International Film Festival, held annually in Haeundae-gu, Busan, South Korea, is one of the most significant film festivals in Asia. Started in 1996, for past 15 years the festival has become an enchanting window to the magnificent world of Asian cinema. From October 7th to 15th, 2010 The 15th Pusan International Film Festival will be held. It is not just a film festival where many movies are introduced to the audience, but it is the film festival where Asian countries and others tie their cultural, artistic, and filmic relations; people from all over the world enjoy festivity through films; promising prospective directors come together to show their talents; and many producers and buyers find jewels to invest and sponsor. (Please refer to our official website: www.piff.org) Our various programs within the festival such as Asian Film Market and Pusan promotion Plan build up the popularity and nobility of the festival.
We’d like to have your attention to our festival. (Please do come to Pusan, South Korea if you can, or please visit our Website and see what is going on in the Cinema Paradiso in Korea, Ea
You will be able to see prominent status of Asian cinema with your own eyes at the 15th Pusan International Film Festival.
We would really appreciate your visit to Pusan International Film Festival. We can guarantee that you will have fun, amazing experience with great films, meet many various cine-people and possibility of publicizing your experience through your articles.
Thank you for your time.
Hope to see you in Pusan!
If you have any questions or concerns please contact me, Jun Bae foreignpress@piff.org
Sincerely,
Jun Bae
I am Dipak N Jham from Mumbai,India currently Residing in Dubai(UAE)
Love your Blog and I follow ir Regularly
God Bless You fo tthe amazing atuff you Post
Do keep in touch
Rgds
Dipak
I am Nagesh and keep seeing golden oldie films of 1970s bollywood a lot..
My blog is at nageshkumarcs.blogspot.com..
I am very happy to read the content rich blog by Beth here..Hurray!
Nagesh
Thanks
Nagesh,
( Chennai)
http://z7.invisionfree.com/bollykonnection/index.php?act=idx
I'm kind of new to the blogging universe and I'm just getting started by finding other great blogs.
I must say, that your blog is one of the best Bollywood blogs I know, I love it!!!
Hope you will visit my blog and maybe give me some advice.
Ok, bye!
Greetings, Mette
So when will you be traveling to Austin, so we may begin planning your welcome party?! :)
Peace,
Lauren
I REALLY need to come see you guys! Maybe...spring?
I'm Carolyne, 19, Psychology student from Rio de Janeiro (Brazil, Brazil, Brazil! \o/). I started watching Indian movies in 2009 and obviously, I can't stop doing it. I think Google brought me here long ago. For a long time, it was my favourite Bollywood blog (I spent a great number of hours of my life here). It was the first I've seen with personal comments about the movies. Now I know too many blogs to have a favourite, sorry ;)
I have a Bolly blog with a friend (KK-Bollywood), but we don't post a lot (shame on us). She doesn't like to watch a lot of old movies like I do, so I did a separate blog to write only about them ("Living In Old Bollywood).
Here in Brazil it's almost impossible finding Indian movies(except Mother India, Lagaan, Saawariya, Mangal Pandey and...Mission Kashmir o.o), so we have a little group that translate some movies. We had a soap opera here (Filmi Girl wrote something about her on the gossip section) that talked about India, so people's interest keep growing. The only sad thing about it all is that only a few of us love old movies...I feel the others are loosing so much.
Well, I talked too much. The last thing: my english is not all that, and it's improving only because of the movies and blogs.
Now, the links:
http://kk-bollywood.blogspot.com/
http://vivendonavelhabolly.blogspot.com/