Last night I had a chance to sneak preview Gurinder Chadha's Bride and Prejudice (B&P).
I didn't go in with much expectations. I anyway don't like wedding films. After being brought up on a solid diet of Hindi films, full of weddings and funerals, I can't take wedding films any more.
The film had already been panned by the Indian film reviewers. Many said that they were happy that the film didn't do well, fearing it will spawn a spate of clones.
Well, the poster at the cinema's box office proclaimed B&P to be UK's No. 1 box office hit. Who do you believe?
Anyway, I found the film interesting because of its music and some characterisation. Technically it is shoddy. Even a David Dhawan does a better job compared to this film. Cinematography and editing are substandard, and you don't expect this coming from a film made in US and UK.
The music by Anu Malik has translated my juvenile fantasies into reality. I used to imagine how English songs would sound if they were rendered with a Hindi filmi music style. Lo and behold, Anu has (over)done that. There is an item number too. Not bad!
All the characters are larger than life, unrealistic. I am not saying anything about Aishwarya's acting. The snake dance was amusing, and Mr. Kohli is terrific. He is the saving grace of the film.
The film does not has even an iota of subtelty. It is a spoof of Indian weddings, Indian music, Indian cinema, India itself.
You will like this film only if you are able to laugh at yourself!
"The world is what it is; men who are nothing, who allow themselves to become nothing, have no place in it." ― V.S. Naipaul, A Bend in the River
6 comments:
Shrewd are those who can laugh at themselves, for they spare themselves from the smug satisfaction of others!
Mr. Anjum
Are u by any chance affiliated to [in the past] as an alumunus of the Aligarh Muslim University?
Yes. I studied there. What's the issue?
Hello Mr Anjum. My Name is Mona S Rahman [ Before marriage it used to be Mona Shabbir Khan].I am an old boy[ sic] too.I was there in the years 1980 to 1990...studying in the department of English. Your name vaguely rang a bell in the mind & seemed so familiar. Now I was wondering if we had met...that's all.
ps. I like reading your articles
Thanks Dizzy. I was there at AMU between 1990 and 1995. I was in history, and we couldn't possibly have met. Never mind. Let's keep reading and writing!
Then u might probably have known Nusrat Shabbir Khan [english dept. student & later a lecturer] & Ahmed Ashraf Babu..my kid sister & brother- in- law.Anyways...just nice to revive memories..
yes will continue to read...
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