tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15977843.post239712600448496866..comments2023-11-10T08:26:51.182-06:00Comments on Beth Loves Bollywood: Behind the Scenes of Hindi Cinema: A Visual Jouney through the Heart of Bollywood by Johan Manschot and Marijke de VosBeth Loves Bollywoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05540154833326987567noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15977843.post-15931177513176080112008-05-19T13:08:00.000-05:002008-05-19T13:08:00.000-05:00I've had it since Christmas and it took me until A...I've had it since Christmas and it took me until April to dig through to the words. They are <I>totally</I> worth it, though of varying levels of interestingness due to 1) your own interests and 2) the different writing styles of all the people involved. There are definitely chapters I liked more than others. <I>And</I> the pictures will get more meaning, too! Reading: it's a win-win.Beth Loves Bollywoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05540154833326987567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15977843.post-54089681875161162272008-05-19T12:39:00.000-05:002008-05-19T12:39:00.000-05:00Wait... You mean this book has writing in it? Eve...Wait... You mean this book has writing in it? Every time I've leafed through it I've been too dazzled by its fabulous design to notice that it contained actual words, much less informative and thoughtful ones such as those to which you referred. Crazy. I'll definitely have to give it another look.Toddhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15890338576052689861noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15977843.post-46799121069356580562008-05-15T09:46:00.000-05:002008-05-15T09:46:00.000-05:00That makes me want to see it - sometimes one good ...That makes me want to see it - sometimes one good review is enough for me, especially, as in this case, if I like the lead. I really do like Aishwarya's performances, generally, which I know is an unpopular opinion.<BR/><BR/>As for MDK, indeed I do still like it. The Hrithik/Rani pair is very enjoyable! (And I like Kareena, too, another unpopular opinion!)Beth Loves Bollywoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05540154833326987567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15977843.post-29573759677391104652008-05-15T09:42:00.000-05:002008-05-15T09:42:00.000-05:00I am probably the only one who actually liked Mist...I am probably the only one who actually liked Mistress of Spices, too! :-( I loved the idea of spices being magic and good for people but wish that there was a more interesting male lead than Dylan McDermott.<BR/><BR/>Dont you like Mujhse Dosti Karoge anymore? Its been one of my favorites - where else do you get Hritik and Rani together!!!!Bollyviewerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17270927806254662068noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15977843.post-25011680485740067912008-05-15T08:12:00.000-05:002008-05-15T08:12:00.000-05:00Bollyviewer - Oooh, I want to read The Kapoors but...Bollyviewer - Oooh, I want to read <I>The Kapoors</I> but last time I checked it's not in my university's massive library system (booo!). I think you're totally right about the Indian population's influence; the author of that essay in the book mentions that as well, focusing on the UK. I don't pay particular attention to the financial end of Bollywood, and I'm curious what effect the <I>Saawariya</I> experiment is having on Hollywood involvement in Indian films. <BR/><BR/>And how was <I>Mistress of Spices</I>? I think you're the first person I've met who'ss een it! <BR/><BR/>Bollywoodblogger - Fun site! I'll enjoy the pictures. <BR/><BR/>veracious - Oh I agree that a not-great movie can be a great starting point - my first movie is <I>Mujhse Dosti Karoge!</I>, for god's sake - but for me, personally, I don't think K3G would have appealed. I think I would have lost it at Hrithik's sleeveless electric guitar playing. <BR/><BR/><I>Bride and Prejudice</I> was my gateway even after having seen the other two - and for me it was for a very specific reason: Gurinder Chandha had a page up on the movie's site about some traditions and conventions of Bollywood to which she was nodding in her film or by which she was influence. I'm not even sure I had heard the term "Bollywood" before that - I knew about the Apu trilogy and that was about it for Indian films of any kind. <BR/><BR/>I highly recommend this book - and it's definitely much more than a coffee table book in content, though that does not help with shipping :)Beth Loves Bollywoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05540154833326987567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15977843.post-49727362190234751842008-05-15T03:41:00.000-05:002008-05-15T03:41:00.000-05:00"Oh no, if K3G had been my first movie, I might ha..."Oh no, if K3G had been my first movie, I might have run away screaming. That's quite a piece to engage with right off the bat."<BR/><BR/>I don't know, Beth, a first film doesn't have to be the best. I was attracted to Bollywood via K3G and it's not a favourite anymore and I'm not a fan of KJo films, either, but it's an okay start for many.<BR/><BR/>With that said, I honestly haven't seen that many getting into BW through Monsoon Wedding or BILB - Bride & Prejudice on the other hand seems like a gateway for many. Which is odd, because it's definitely the worst film out of the three. <BR/><BR/>I would love to check this book out but unless I find it in my library, I doubt I ever will.. Coffee table books are not something I enjoy ordering from Amazon or similar; the shipping costs are ridiculous!veracioushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14437521137603205617noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15977843.post-86454579054850809432008-05-14T21:36:00.000-05:002008-05-14T21:36:00.000-05:00After reading your post I went to the library to g...After reading your post I went to the library to get this book but got sidetracked by "The Kapoors" (by Madhu Jain) on the shelf and spent a few hours with Kapoor-related trivia instead! :-) Have to get my hands on this one, though.<BR/><BR/>About the popularity of Bollywood in the West, I think one big factor is the large number of Indians in North America as well as Europe. Everywhere we Indians go, our movies go with us! This probably makes Bollywood movies more 'visible' in the Western world which in turn increases the number of encounters a Western person has with Hindi movies. Out of several people seeing movies, there are bound to be some at least who'd like them. Besides, Hollywood is waking up to the fact that not only is India a vast untapped market, the large Indian diaspora in the West is also a fast growing market. Investing in Bollywood films or movies starring Bollywood stars is a great way to tap this market. (It works - I wouldnt have watched Mistress of Spices had there been no Aishwarya). So, Bollywood is getting more exposure in the West and this should certainly enhance its popularity.Bollyviewerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17270927806254662068noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15977843.post-30244398365789529462008-05-12T15:35:00.000-05:002008-05-12T15:35:00.000-05:00Oh no, if K3G had been my first movie, I might hav...Oh no, if K3G had been my first movie, I might have run away screaming. That's quite a piece to engage with right off the bat. <BR/><BR/>If you read it, do tell me what you think! It's so fun to read, although as someone just emailed me, it can be hard to focus on the text and actually <I>read</I> it because the graphics are so lovely!Beth Loves Bollywoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05540154833326987567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15977843.post-47302979316234420562008-05-12T15:02:00.000-05:002008-05-12T15:02:00.000-05:00i have to get this book as i'm all about asking ha...i have to get this book as i'm all about asking hard questions (though not necessarily about answering them ;)).<BR/><BR/>K3G was my first foray into hindi film. i'd watched BILB but hadn't connected that to the richer tradition of hindi film. K3G was overwhelming for me. i had to *not* think about it for a few months before going back to it, watching it again and accepting the film wholeheartedly. that opened a whole new world for me. i guess what i'm rambling on about is that perspective is important. i decided to love indian films and now i do. <BR/><BR/>maybe that makes sense. . . maybe that doesn't.remissionhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06402783394354387534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15977843.post-66346800367071205012008-05-12T13:44:00.000-05:002008-05-12T13:44:00.000-05:00Bollywood movies do get their clutches into you an...Bollywood movies do get their clutches into you and won't let go. I too have my own love affair and have found quite a source to feed it. Have to share it here. Please check out this new website www.TinselVision.com for your quota of Bollywood movies and TV.FilmiDivahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04160734477381800629noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15977843.post-44435280855573891702008-05-12T11:11:00.000-05:002008-05-12T11:11:00.000-05:00Looks like a book I need to add to my Bollybookshe...Looks like a book I need to add to my Bollybookshelf! Great! :-)<BR/><BR/>Re: Monsoon Wedding and BILB, I saw them after I was hooked already on Indian films, but am not sure that they would have gotten me started if I weren't. Monsoon Wedding might have, but I don't think BILB would have (Monsoon Wedding taking place in India with a big wedding etc.)...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com