Hello, Mere naam SurinderSahniThisSideJi, and I am a Bollyholic

[SurinderSahniThisSideJi]

My introduction to Hindi cinema started while I was living in Ireland. I had my first taste of Indian food there, and I loved it. I had seen “Bride and Prejudice” a few years earlier, but I hadn’t thought much of it other than loving the “Punjabi Wedding Song.”

When I returned to the States after a year, I found that my family, especially my two younger sisters, had gotten into this “Bollywood” thing in my absence. They insisted that I watch a couple of movies, and I agreed without much hesitation. All I knew was that I liked Indian food, so why not Indian movies?

The first movie that they had me watch was “My Name is Khan.” I sat through it, squinting at the bright colors, wincing at the hammy acting, and wondering why in the holy heck my sisters were so infatuated by the guy with the huge nose. I thought that the girl was cute, and that the story was interesting, but the movie was WAY too long and there were some parts that stretched my incredulity (SRK saving the Hurricane Katrina victims? C’mon).

The next week, we watched “Om Shanti Om.” I was again confused at the start and a bit appalled by the bell-bottoms and flashy shirts - but then I started getting into the story. Why was this guy so appealing? Why, when he was on the screen, did I find myself watching him fixedly? Then the story changed from a simple love story into an explosive murder mystery/reincarnation drama, and I was hooked. I laughed, I cried, I danced. I came away wanting more, but not really sure why.

My sister would watch Bollywood movies on Netflix instant-play, and I would watch over her shoulder, asking what was happening. I watched part of “Veer-Zaara” and “DDLJ,” and I was beginning to get why she loved Shahrukh Khan so much. They called him the “Tom Cruise of India,” but the man had more charisma and charm in one eyebrow than Tom Cruise possessed in his entire body.

However, I was still not entirely sold on Bollywood movies. Most of them, I felt, were over-long, over-dramatic, and usually had gaping plot holes that I couldn’t ignore. I was looking at SRK movies on Amazon.com, trying to find something that appealed to me, when I stumbled across a movie called “Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi.” The reviews were good, it looked cute, and I was ready to try to take a step on my own.

I watched RNBDJ the next morning, and after that, I was a goner. I fell in love with Suri/Raj (a lot of people make the mistake of trying to make them into two different characters, which they are not) and laughed and cried with Taani-ji. I finally realized that I was going to keep looking up SRK movies, and that my friends were going to hear about them. I started buying my favorite tracks from the movies I had watched, and now have a “Bollywood playlist” on my iPod which has 74 songs on it. My dad gets a long-suffering face whenever he comes into the living room and sees a Bollywood movie on, but sometimes he stays and watches, chuckling when he thinks we aren’t listening. My mom watches and asks me questions about what’s going on and who’s doing what, and me and my sister dance around the living room, singing along at the top of our lungs.

As for outreach, I have several friends who are cautious Bollywooders, although most of them claim they wouldn’t watch without me because it “wouldn’t be as fun” (whatever that means). Anyone who gets a ride anywhere in my car knows that they will spend the time rocking out to “Deewangi Deewangi” and “Chaiyya Chaiyya,” and most of them absolutely love it.

I was so excited when I found this forum! Like most addicts, I need help and support from my fellow craic*-heads (*Irish for “fun” . I’m glad to know that I’m not the only one who relaxes by gazing into Shahrukh’s limpid eyes (look it up, they are the DEFINITION of limpid) and dancing along with Kajol and Rani. I haven’t started hating Kareena Kapoor yet, but I DO understand many of the Hindi words in the songs I listen to.

I have big dreams, some of them almost filmi-ishtyle. I am a film/animation major, and my dream would be to collaborate with the people of Bollywood, bringing their films to the U.S. and making them accessible to Westerners without compromising Indian culture or the Bollywood style. I love seeing stars like Aishwarya Rai and Dev Patel in Western movies (I’ve watched the trailer for “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” about 12 times), and I’m still mad that SRK has never gotten the recognition he deserves in the States.

But enough rambling. I am really excited to join the Bollywhat forum!

[NewLaura]

Welcome SurinderSahniThisSideJi!   That's a very cute and clever id!   

I am so, so glad to have an enthusiastic new fan join BollyWhat!  I hope you post soon and often about the films you enjoy.   

And I hope you don't start hating any of the actors/actresses any time soon. 

I'm really looking forward to your posts!

[SurinderSahniThisSideJi]

Thanks NewLaura! I made it myself  First ever gif; I was so proud.

I have been eagerly scanning some of the forums on Bollywhat and I have seen several that I am interested in adding my two cents to. It's so nice to have discussions with like-minded people - my family and friends are sometimes a bit like "eh, she's on about Bollywood again!"

I honestly think that Kareena has made some pretty good films, and she sometimes is hilarious (i.e. Jab We Met). And although I am an SRK fanatic, I have no hard feelings against Aamir or Salman or Hithrik or anyone. They're all pretty awesome in their own way.

[dustdevil]

Welcome to BollyWHAT, SSTSJ!
(Let me be the first to use your inevitable user ID abbreviation.)

It's always fun hearing "conversion stories"--it's pretty amazing that My Name is Khan was your first film, and you stuck with it. Are your sisters still into Bollywood?

Anyone who gets a ride anywhere in my car knows that they will spend the time rocking out to “Deewangi Deewangi” and “Chaiyya Chaiyya,” and most of them absolutely love it.

Aw, 3 years ago when my Bollywood obsession was fresh, those were the songs that I played constantly. I have fond memories of driving to and from the library (to pick up more BW movies) listening to both of those songs (and "Desi Girls.")

[SurinderSahniThisSideJi]

Welcome to BollyWHAT, SSTSJ! (Let me be the first to use your inevitable user ID abbreviation.)

The username is kind of a mouthful, I know  But it's fun to say, hai na?

It's always fun hearing "conversion stories"--it's pretty amazing that My Name is Khan was your first film, and you stuck with it. Are your sisters still into Bollywood?

Let me tell you - I nearly DIDN'T get through either My Name is Khan OR OSO the first time. Before you acclimatize to the pace and length of Bollywood, it can seem like it stretches on for 5 hours not just 3  My sisters love Bollywood, but they're mostly all off at different colleges now. I'm transferring in September and am licking my lips at the thought of new people to "convert."

 Aw, 3 years ago when my Bollywood obsession was fresh, those were the songs that I played constantly. I have fond memories of driving to and from the library (to pick up more BW movies) listening to both of those songs (and "Desi Girls.")

Ahaha! I know! I can just imagine myself in 5 or 10 years thinking, "Man, I was CRAZY!" But it's a lot of fun. And my car is a hilarious place to be sometimes. What do you listen to in your car now? Are you kind of getting off the BW kick, or have you just moved on to different songs?

[jjake61]

Welcome SSTSJ! I am really looking forward to your posts. How many movies do you think you've seen? Have you watched any oldies yet?

[Remini]

Welcome and thanks for your pretty story - I love reading how people got into watching Bollywood It's so amazing that you could watch it with your sisters while you were all at home My sister only watched Dil Bole Hadippa with me, and only because she happened to be walking past the computer when they showed shirtless Shahid

Enjoy and have lots of fun!

[Vinita]

Welcome SurinderSahniThisSideJi!
Yes, it's a mouthful but what a wonderful mouthful!
It's good that your sisters are into Bollymovies as well.  Bollymovies are meant to be watched with family.  Alas, too many of us on here end up watching them alone.
Looking forward to your posts. 

[SurinderSahniThisSideJi]

Welcome SSTSJ! I am really looking forward to your posts. How many movies do you think you've seen? Have you watched any oldies yet?

Hi JJake61! Thanks, I am glad to be here! I've seen probably in the neighborhood of 40-60 . . . I may sit down and count one day, but that's my rough estimate. I haven't seen many oldies, although I am interested! The oldest BW movie I've seen is probably "Deewana" and that's not even very old. Any oldies that you recommend?

Welcome and thanks for your pretty story - I love reading how people got into watching Bollywood It's so amazing that you could watch it with your sisters while you were all at home My sister only watched Dil Bole Hadippa with me, and only because she happened to be walking past the computer when they showed shirtless Shahid

Enjoy and have lots of fun!

LOL that is an excellent reason to watch Dil Bole Hadippa! Shirtless Shahid is VERY easy on the eyes. And my sisters are, if possible, even crazier about BW than I am. My sister is currently going through an Akshay Kumar phase, and after watching "Namastaye London" and "Patiala House," I agree with her. But it's just so much fun to watch BW with her. I'm sorry your sister isn't interested. Maybe with time? BW has something for everyone . . .

Welcome SurinderSahniThisSideJi!
Yes, it's a mouthful but what a wonderful mouthful!
It's good that your sisters are into Bollymovies as well.  Bollymovies are meant to be watched with family.  Alas, too many of us on here end up watching them alone.
Looking forward to your posts. 

I agree, I love saying it And I think that's a shame! BW is not meant to be watched alone, unless you are unwilling to bust a move while someone is watching (shameful secret: I am). BW are also meant to be watched while dancing! When I first watched Dil Bole Hadippa, I was all alone in my house, so I just got up and started doing the Punjabi shoulder thingy, you know, with your fingers up in the air? It makes the movies that much better If you're ever watching a movie alone, try it.

[Dariya]

I haven’t started hating Kareena Kapoor yet

Give it time.  *tints fingers evilly.        (Just kidding, Kareena fans  )

SSTSJ, it's belated but welcome!  I love your introductory post -- you seem to really understand the essence of Bollywood!  I'm jealous that your sisters are in on it too -- my family avoids BW movies like the plague unless it is SRK (mom) or Akshay Kumar (sister).  Usually I won't watch them alone but when I do, it is the saddest thing EVER.  

Welcome again, and I really look forward to reading your posts!

[veracious]

Another rather belated welcome, but I just liked reading your story of discovery. It's also very interesting that you didn't really like the first films you watched, but kept watching all the same, and then found a film that really clicked with you. I think a lot of us who show people we know films, hoping they'll also become fans, sort of stress that if they don't like the first film they see, they won't care to ever watch another.. But obviously that's not always the case!

And one of the many joys of getting into these films is sharing them with people, watching films together etc.

[SurinderSahniThisSideJi]

Another rather belated welcome, but I just liked reading your story of discovery. It's also very interesting that you didn't really like the first films you watched, but kept watching all the same, and then found a film that really clicked with you. I think a lot of us who show people we know films, hoping they'll also become fans, sort of stress that if they don't like the first film they see, they won't care to ever watch another.. But obviously that's not always the case!

And one of the many joys of getting into these films is sharing them with people, watching films together etc.

I agree with everything you said! I love watching movies on my own (because I get up and dance like a retard, and the fewer witnesses, the better), but BW just gives me so much joy that I HAVE to share. And now I've got people asking, "when are we having Bollywood night? We never watch Bollywood anymore! You've got me hooked!" it's actually kind of stressful because I'm like the BW go-to girl. And I would definitely say, keep at it, there's ALWAYS a side of Bollywood that will interest someone.

Give it time.  *tints fingers evilly.        (Just kidding, Kareena fans  )

SSTSJ, it's belated but welcome!  I love your introductory post -- you seem to really understand the essence of Bollywood!  I'm jealous that your sisters are in on it too -- my family avoids BW movies like the plague unless it is SRK (mom) or Akshay Kumar (sister).  Usually I won't watch them alone but when I do, it is the saddest thing EVER. 

Welcome again, and I really look forward to reading your posts!

My parents aren't really into it, but they have enjoyed some of what they've seen.  Mom when she saw the cover of Ra.One: "MY GOODNESS he's got a lot of abs. How old is he?" So maybe she's starting to crack? She was kinda turned off by the movie though, to be honest. So it's just me and my little sister right now, but we have tons of fun

We should do like a BollyWhat! forum group watch, where we pick a movie that's online (like on Youtube, there are lots of free ones there with subtitles) and watch it all at the same time and IM each other. That's what me and my friends do, and it's fun! I wouldn't want anyone to Bollywood alone!

[Dariya]

Usually I won't watch them alone but when I do, it is the saddest thing EVER.  

Lol, I hope I didn't make myself sound too pathetic with this comment.    I definitely don't have a line of converts behind me but usually I can get someone to watch along.  But yes, it would be much more fun if they were actually as into it as I am!  That's what support groups like this are for.  

[SurinderSahniThisSideJi]

Lol, I hope I didn't make myself sound too pathetic with this comment.    I definitely don't have a line of converts behind me but usually I can get someone to watch along.  But yes, it would be much more fun if they were actually as into it as I am!  That's what support groups like this are for. 

Dude, no! You don't sound pathetic. Honestly, I just love sharing all of this with people. I'm so glad that I've got friends who appreciate it, and I hate it when other of my friends just shrug it off. For every Bolly-convert, there's two Bolly-haters. But more often there are the Bolly-whatevers, who like it but still look at you wierd when you talk about it all the time. So yeah, I totally understand. And even though my friends and my sisters like Bollywood, none of them are as passionate as me. So, you're awesome for loving it as much as I do, and I wish my friends were like you!

[prahajess]

Another belated Welcome and hello! Wonderful to have new blood, new comments, new enthusiasm here! 

[Vinita]

We should do like a BollyWhat! forum group watch, where we pick a movie that's online (like on Youtube, there are lots of free ones there with subtitles) and watch it all at the same time and IM each other. That's what me and my friends do, and it's fun! I wouldn't want anyone to Bollywood alone!

Actually we have one for the Beyond Bollywooders.  It's called the SFTM club and we usually watch it using syncTube.  Here's the link.  http://www.bollywhat-forum.com/index.php?topic=29163.0 Sometimes BWers from the European Continent also join us.

We haven't done one in a few months I think.  Once exams and such are done we should organize another watchalong.

[SurinderSahniThisSideJi]

We haven't done one in a few months I think.  Once exams and such are done we should organize another watchalong.

Totally! I would be very happy to do that My finals are over at the end of May.