Salaam Bombay Dreams
I just watched most of this fascinating DVD about the making of the Bombay Dreams musical. The "Making of" (1,5 h) itself is a fascinating look on the way A.R. Rahman, Farah Khan, Andrew Lloyd Webber, etc. work. There are interviews, bits of Rahman working, and both the Western & Indian people's reactions to his working methods (perfectionist, i.e. improvising to the last minute).
The genesis of the whole project is also very interesting: Shekhar Kapur mentioned to Andrew Lloydd Webber that Bollywood films are almost like musicals on film, Webber got interested, watched a couple of films, and loved some of the musical numbers, "Chaiyya Chaiyya" especially, and got introduced to A.R. Rahman through Kapur.
I also loved seeing Farah Khan choreographing the songs, first at her studio in Mumbai, and later performing the leading lady's part in "Shakalaka Baby" when showcasing the choreography for the cast in London. Great stuff!!!
In addition to the "Making of", there are several short interviews (10-15 mins/each) with Webber, Rahman, the choreographers, the director, etc., several music videos (some from the musical and two "real" music videos (Shakalaka Baby & Love's Never Easy [=Ishq Bina Kya]). If you are at all interested in Indian music, musicals, and/or A.R. Rahman, this is a must-buy. Full of interesting stuff!
The only negative thing I can come up with, is that the DVD is formatted only for Regions 2-6, which means it won't play in normal US dvd players (R1).
ETA: checking through Amazon, I can see that it has been separately released in the US. I wonder what's the reason behind releasing it in most of the other regions (2-6) and then separately in R1? Timing? Marketing? Who knows?
The genesis of the whole project is also very interesting: Shekhar Kapur mentioned to Andrew Lloydd Webber that Bollywood films are almost like musicals on film, Webber got interested, watched a couple of films, and loved some of the musical numbers, "Chaiyya Chaiyya" especially, and got introduced to A.R. Rahman through Kapur.
I also loved seeing Farah Khan choreographing the songs, first at her studio in Mumbai, and later performing the leading lady's part in "Shakalaka Baby" when showcasing the choreography for the cast in London. Great stuff!!!
In addition to the "Making of", there are several short interviews (10-15 mins/each) with Webber, Rahman, the choreographers, the director, etc., several music videos (some from the musical and two "real" music videos (Shakalaka Baby & Love's Never Easy [=Ishq Bina Kya]). If you are at all interested in Indian music, musicals, and/or A.R. Rahman, this is a must-buy. Full of interesting stuff!
The only negative thing I can come up with, is that the DVD is formatted only for Regions 2-6, which means it won't play in normal US dvd players (R1).
ETA: checking through Amazon, I can see that it has been separately released in the US. I wonder what's the reason behind releasing it in most of the other regions (2-6) and then separately in R1? Timing? Marketing? Who knows?