2008 Woodie Awards
Bollywood films reflect culture
Stephanie Moran
Issue date: 2/28/07 Section: The Inside
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Correction: A previous version of this story contained an incorrect spelling of Manish Patel's name.
As the Indian song, "Paathshala (Be a Rebel)," blasted over the speakers, a crowd shuffled into the room and the smell of curry filled the air. Audience members dined on vegetable samosas and chatted in Hindi and English in between mouthfuls.
The lights dimmed and a hush came over the room as the film "Rang de Basanti," played for about 50 students. The International Carnevale screening in Ell Hall Feb. 22 was part of a three-day international film series sponsored by NU Sanskriti, Northeastern's Indian graduate student organization.
For about two hours the audience was introduced to a world of bright colors, music, dance and Indian culture.
Welcome to Bollywood.
"Rang de Basanti" is a drama directed by Rakesh Omprkash Mehra and features Bollywood movie star Aamir Khan. It follows Sue, a young English woman, who travels to India to film a documentary about her grandfather's diary from the 1920s during India's fight against Britain for independence. Working with a minimal budget, Sue recruits students from Delhi University as the cast for her film. During filming, the characters' experiences change their perspectives on life and values.
Like most Bollywood movies, students said "Rang de Basanti" combines drama, comedy, visually enticing scenes, music and dance. Manish Patel, NU Sanskriti's events coordinator said Indian cinema also reflects core Indian values.
"[The film] is connected to our culture. What happens in the plot is hard to believe in America, but Indian culture is different," he said.
India's film industry, Bollywood, is becoming increasingly popular in the United States. Unlike American cinema, Bollywood films incorporate almost every genre, from drama and comedy to music and dance into one film, providing a different form of entertainment, said Kumi Silva, assistant communication studies professor.
As the Indian song, "Paathshala (Be a Rebel)," blasted over the speakers, a crowd shuffled into the room and the smell of curry filled the air. Audience members dined on vegetable samosas and chatted in Hindi and English in between mouthfuls.
The lights dimmed and a hush came over the room as the film "Rang de Basanti," played for about 50 students. The International Carnevale screening in Ell Hall Feb. 22 was part of a three-day international film series sponsored by NU Sanskriti, Northeastern's Indian graduate student organization.
For about two hours the audience was introduced to a world of bright colors, music, dance and Indian culture.
Welcome to Bollywood.
"Rang de Basanti" is a drama directed by Rakesh Omprkash Mehra and features Bollywood movie star Aamir Khan. It follows Sue, a young English woman, who travels to India to film a documentary about her grandfather's diary from the 1920s during India's fight against Britain for independence. Working with a minimal budget, Sue recruits students from Delhi University as the cast for her film. During filming, the characters' experiences change their perspectives on life and values.
Like most Bollywood movies, students said "Rang de Basanti" combines drama, comedy, visually enticing scenes, music and dance. Manish Patel, NU Sanskriti's events coordinator said Indian cinema also reflects core Indian values.
"[The film] is connected to our culture. What happens in the plot is hard to believe in America, but Indian culture is different," he said.
India's film industry, Bollywood, is becoming increasingly popular in the United States. Unlike American cinema, Bollywood films incorporate almost every genre, from drama and comedy to music and dance into one film, providing a different form of entertainment, said Kumi Silva, assistant communication studies professor.
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VISHAL KUKREJA
posted 3/02/07 @ 4:20 AM EST
The Bollywood film industry is one of the most lively & happening film industry. It combines not only the story but the melody of music and dance is intricately mixed in the movie. (Continued…)
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