On Bollywood's gayest movie and most beautiful woman
Earlier in the week, I went and saw Dostana, the hilarious, HILARIOUS Bollywood comedy about two somewhat immature guys (Abhishek Bachchan and John Abraham) who pretend to be a gay couple in order to rent an apartment of their dreams from a sexy sexy landlady (Priyanka Chopra) who lives there as well and thus isn't keen on having straight and single men be her roommates.
I don't remember the last time I laughed so hard. I was nearly in tears. There was nothing not to love about the movie: the message was very progressive (especially for Bollywood) both about gay men, women who want to do more than *gasp* marry but love their career instead, and about importance of friendship. It was also hilarious.
I think Abhishek nearly stole the movie, but I was even more impressed by Priyanka, mainly because I already think Abhishek is a good actor but I am iffy on her, and this was the first role I truly loved her in: she was funny, grounded, ambitious - a real person.
John was overshadowed by Abhishek, IMO, but I liked him in the role nontheless. And the re-enactment of KKHH rain dance did win my heart, probably because it's my favorite Bollywood scene ever. Kirron Kher and Boman Irani were both marvelous as the old-fashioned mother having to cope with her son's gayness and a very femmy but powerful magazine editor, respectively. And I might be in the minority but I really liked Bobby Deol, as the man who woos Priyanka mainly by being a really really good guy. I don't find him particularly good-looking, but his character was a total sweet-heart and after roles like this and Jhoom Barabar Jhoom I think I might begin to actually *gasp* look forward to him being in movies I watch. And if I were single, I'd marry his character in a heart-beat.
The second half is a bit draggy (but that is a problem in a lot of Bollywood movies) and manipulation of Veer, Bobby's kid, made me squirm. But that's the thing, IMO: neither John nor Abhishek's characters are stellar human beings (they are not evil or anything, but thoughtless, definitely) or particularly mature: if they were the whole plot would not happen because they wouldn't enter into their gay lie in the first place. That is why I loved that Priyanka ended up with neither of them but with Bobby who was a grown-up, and was someone who was not a liar or manipulator. And that way the boys can end up with each other because the finale is at least hinting this way.
One last comment - I loved that though the movie was hilarious, there were emotional scenes that (to me) had real heart. That's what a good comedy needs.
And for those of you who like that sort of thing (you know who you are :D), yes, there is a guy/guy kiss. Heh.
Also, I am amused that it's the two men who are in relationships with Bollywood's most beautiful women who play these characters - Abhishek is married to Aishwarya Rai and John's long term squeeze is Bipasha Basu. Maybe that is what made the movie 'safe' for more conservative film-goers (because it's enjoying good business). But for me, that's an extra amusing thing.
And not related: Abhishek's better half Aishwarya just confirmed that she signed onto my favorite Bolly director's (and her Svengali) Sanjay Leela Bhansali's next, to star opposite Hrithik Roshan. Be still my heart. If for nothing else than that the dancing will be incredible.
I do think Aiswarya is the most beautiful woman in Bollywood. Look:
I don't remember the last time I laughed so hard. I was nearly in tears. There was nothing not to love about the movie: the message was very progressive (especially for Bollywood) both about gay men, women who want to do more than *gasp* marry but love their career instead, and about importance of friendship. It was also hilarious.
I think Abhishek nearly stole the movie, but I was even more impressed by Priyanka, mainly because I already think Abhishek is a good actor but I am iffy on her, and this was the first role I truly loved her in: she was funny, grounded, ambitious - a real person.
John was overshadowed by Abhishek, IMO, but I liked him in the role nontheless. And the re-enactment of KKHH rain dance did win my heart, probably because it's my favorite Bollywood scene ever. Kirron Kher and Boman Irani were both marvelous as the old-fashioned mother having to cope with her son's gayness and a very femmy but powerful magazine editor, respectively. And I might be in the minority but I really liked Bobby Deol, as the man who woos Priyanka mainly by being a really really good guy. I don't find him particularly good-looking, but his character was a total sweet-heart and after roles like this and Jhoom Barabar Jhoom I think I might begin to actually *gasp* look forward to him being in movies I watch. And if I were single, I'd marry his character in a heart-beat.
The second half is a bit draggy (but that is a problem in a lot of Bollywood movies) and manipulation of Veer, Bobby's kid, made me squirm. But that's the thing, IMO: neither John nor Abhishek's characters are stellar human beings (they are not evil or anything, but thoughtless, definitely) or particularly mature: if they were the whole plot would not happen because they wouldn't enter into their gay lie in the first place. That is why I loved that Priyanka ended up with neither of them but with Bobby who was a grown-up, and was someone who was not a liar or manipulator. And that way the boys can end up with each other because the finale is at least hinting this way.
One last comment - I loved that though the movie was hilarious, there were emotional scenes that (to me) had real heart. That's what a good comedy needs.
And for those of you who like that sort of thing (you know who you are :D), yes, there is a guy/guy kiss. Heh.
Also, I am amused that it's the two men who are in relationships with Bollywood's most beautiful women who play these characters - Abhishek is married to Aishwarya Rai and John's long term squeeze is Bipasha Basu. Maybe that is what made the movie 'safe' for more conservative film-goers (because it's enjoying good business). But for me, that's an extra amusing thing.
And not related: Abhishek's better half Aishwarya just confirmed that she signed onto my favorite Bolly director's (and her Svengali) Sanjay Leela Bhansali's next, to star opposite Hrithik Roshan. Be still my heart. If for nothing else than that the dancing will be incredible.
I do think Aiswarya is the most beautiful woman in Bollywood. Look: