Watch Bollywood/Hollywood
- PG-13
- 2002
- 1 hr 45 min
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5.9 (2,583)
Bollywood/Hollywood is a 2002 romantic comedy film directed by Canadian filmmaker Deepa Mehta. The film stars Rahul Khanna, Lisa Ray, Moushumi Chatterjee, and Dina Pathak in lead roles. The film is about a young Canadian man of Indian descent, Rahul (Rahul Khanna), who is pressured by his family to find a suitable Indian bride for himself. However, Rahul has fallen in love with a white Canadian girl named Kimberly (Lisa Ray) and intends to marry her.
The film is a satirical take on the Indian film industry, commonly known as Bollywood, and its influence on immigrants living in Canada. The film begins with Rahul's grandfather, who is a staunch believer in the ideals of traditional Indian culture. He wants his grandson to marry an Indian girl and settle down in India. Rahul, on the other hand, is a modern, Canadian-born thinker who is not ready to accept the conservative values of his grandfather.
Rahul's family is torn between tradition and modernity, and this conflict is beautifully portrayed in the film. Rahul's father is a businessman who has made a fortune selling Indian spices in Canada. He wants his son to take over the family business and also marry an Indian girl of his choice. Rahul's mother is more open-minded and accepts her son's relationship with Kimberly but is worried about the reaction of the Indian community towards their union.
The film is set in Toronto, Canada, and showcases the vibrant Indian community living there. The film revolves around the theme of cultural assimilation and the struggle of immigrants to keep their ancient customs and traditions alive in a foreign land. The film features a lot of Indian music and dance, typical of Bollywood movies, and showcases the colorful Indian festivals celebrated in Canada.
Rahul meets Kimberly, a beautiful Canadian girl, at a party and falls in love with her. Kimberly is a singer and an actress and dreams of making it big in the film industry. Rahul is hesitant to introduce Kimberly to his family, afraid of their reaction towards a non-Indian bride. Kimberly, being a modern thinker, believes that love knows no cultural barriers, and they should follow their hearts.
The film explores the complexity of interracial relationships and the challenges faced by couples from different cultural backgrounds. Rahul's family is shocked when they discover that he is in love with a Canadian girl from a different race. Rahul's grandfather refuses to accept Kimberly as his granddaughter-in-law, but Rahul's mother supports him and tries to make amends.
The film has an ensemble cast of talented actors who portray their roles with conviction. Rahul Khanna is charming and convincing as the lead character, Rahul. Lisa Ray is delightful as the vivacious and confident Kimberly. Moushumi Chatterjee and Dina Pathak deliver stellar performances as Rahul's mother and grandmother, respectively.
The film is a perfect blend of humor, drama, and romance, with catchy dance numbers and foot-tapping music. The film's message is clear - love transcends all barriers, and cultural differences should not hinder it. Bollywood/Hollywood is a refreshing take on the romantic comedy genre, with Deepa Mehta's signature style of storytelling.
In conclusion, Bollywood/Hollywood is a must-watch film that showcases the cultural diversity of Canada and the challenges faced by immigrants while settling in a foreign land. The film celebrates love and the human spirit, and is a tribute to the Indian film industry, which has influenced generations across the world.