I don't know where I first heard the term "Bollywood." It feels, and though this may sound cheesy it's the truth, like I've simply always been aware of it. My guess is I picked it up while working for a music/video chain back in the 90's. The definition has been refined in my head quite a bit since then-- I used to think all Indian films qualified as Bollywood for example, I know now that isn't the case-- but again, it seems to have been a part of my lexicon from day one.
I can however tell you the first time I saw real Bollywood in action, and guess what, there's a chance you might have seen it too. Remember the movie Ghost World? Does this look familiar?
This is the number Thora Birch's character Enid is dancing to when we first meet her. The song is "Jaan Pehechaan Ho" from the film Gumnaam. I admit unfortunately that I didn't know this was Bollywood when I first saw it. I can however say I dug what I heard and it was a big reason I ended up getting the GW soundtrack. Watching it again now, it's still fun, and I still get a kick out of the slightly psychadelic, Adam West Batman vibe it gives off, but there's another rockin' 60's Hindi freakout I've come to appreciate more: "Aaja Aaja Main Hoon," from 1966's Teesri Manzil.
I could write an entire entry on Teesri Manzil, and eventually I will. For now though let's skip back to the present. Well, about a year ago anyway, when I was putzing around Fazed and came across what sounded like an amusing time-killer.
The link led to a site called Bombay TV. I looked around for awhile and eventually turned out the first of what I've come to call my "Bolly Follies."
Ravi's Confession
As of today I've got about forty saved up; I'll be posting them now and then for some comic (?) relief.
At the time the website didn't give credit to the movies the clips came from, and it would be six more months before I stumbled across the DVD for Don at a local video store. But that, ladies and gentleman, is a tale for another day.
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