Bollywood/ Hollywood Director: Deepa Mehta Country: Canada Year: 2002

Starring: Rahul Khanna, Lisa Ray, Ranjit Chowdhry, Moushumi Chatterjee, Dina Pathak, Rishma Malik, Kalbushan Kharbadna, Jessica Paré , Jazz Mann


For the most part - a funny, flamboyant, entertaining movie with an outstanding cast!! In an interesting way, it also seems to explore themes like acceptance and cultural fusion while representing the familial struggles of second-generation kids brought up in a culture different from their parents. Be warned, however, that if you are planning on digging out some Holy Grail of wisdom from this romantic-comedic tale, I would suggest not digging too deep. "Just have fun with it," said Rahul Khanna (in an interview) who acts as Rahul Seth, the movie's protagonist, "and do not look to it for a very serious message." I agree! Bollywood/Hollywood almost seems like a deliberate attempt by a usually philosophical and serious director Deepa Mehta to deliver a purely entertaining drama of romance, emotional upheavals, exaggerations and comic relief.

Bollywood/Hollywood boasts of a vibrant potpourri of talented performers doing justice to a gifted director's creation. In a humorous way, the movie is riddled with stereotyped roles usually attached to Indian culture as well as some truly original characters - an eternally lachrymose mother played brilliantly by Moushumi Chaterjee; domineering and resolute, yet soft at heart grandmother, splendidly performed by Dina Pathik; good looking and successful dot-com millionaire Rahul Seth (performed by Rahul Khanna), who goes through the difficult trial of breaking the tough cultural mould; intellectual and spunky Sue Singh (Lisa Ray) acting as an escort; Rahul's rebellious and independent sister, Twinkie (Rishma Malik, former MTV VJ); her lively and flirtatious fiancée (performed by comedian Jazz Mann) and Rocky, Rahul's faithful chauffer (talented Ranjit Chowdhry). The gorgeous Akshaye Khanna makes a guest appearance in a wedding scene. The other shorter roles in the movie have been performed by the phenomenal veteran actor Kulbushan Kharbanda and the dignified Neelam Man Singh.

The tale opens dramatically with the sudden death of Kimberley, (performed by charming Jessica Pare), Rahul's pop star girlfriend. It goes without saying that in endearing Kimberley, he had acted "unpardonably" and "sinfully" against the wishes of his deceased father. The mourning Rahul is forced to begin his search for an "Indian" bride instead of dealing with his grief, failing which his mother threatens to call off Twinkie's wedding. Twinkie, who's pregnant, simply cannot allow her marriage to be put off. Fortunately, just in time, Rahul runs into a stunning and intelligent escort who promises to act as his fiancée for a generous monetary return. As Sue enters the realm of his family, everyone including Rahul seems to be falling in love with her. The real test however, is whether Rahul would be able to challenge the centuries old tradition, do the "sinful" and go ahead, marry a "hooker". Predictably so in a fun focused movie like this and after some initial trials and tribulations, Rahul resolves not to lose Sue and finally receives support from all including his grandmother, who seems the most steeped in tradition at the movie's opening. Parallel to the main story run the antics of Twinky and Bobby's relationship. They decide to elope and get married in the face of a threat to their marriage posed by the indignant mother.

All said, it would be a mistake to say that the movie is completely devoid of a message. It is after all a Deepa Mehta film and that means there's got to be more to it than appears. In a light hearted and playful way, the movie attempts to delve into a number of issues faced by the "real" kids of immigrants while making important decisions of their lives. In the words of Rishma Malik, " Growing as an Indo Canadian kid, these are issues that were real to me." Jazz says, "Growing up in this culture and country, it sounds very natural that an Indo-Canadian guy falls in love with a white girl and all the struggle and complications that ensue are not unheard of." The movie seems to be saying that true wisdom lies in learning to move on and continuing to evolve with changing times. Interestingly in the movie, this revolution skips a generation while dawning on the family. The grandmother seems to get convinced before the mother that there is nothing wrong with an alliance between Rahul and Sue and thus gives her valuable go-ahead to the emotionally dishevelled grandson. In fact, she helps strengthen Rahul's own resolve.

In some ways, this movie is truly a category unto itself. There are enough elements to identify it as a Masala movie with all the dancing, singing and wedding scenes. Quite surprisingly, there is an altogether different side to the movie as well. An interesting example is the movie's Drag scenes, represented not in the usual mocking manner, but in a warm, accepting way.

One of the greatest things in the movie is the pervasive Canadian atmosphere throughout the movie's 110 minutes. Canadian viewers can expect to constantly feel an urge to point at the screen and shout out, "Oh! I know where that is, I have been there!" The familiar sights include CN Tower in the backdrop, shops and a restaurant in Little India, the locale surrounding the Toronto Pearson International Airport and even a Toronto strip bar.

All in all, the movie seems to be defying the clichéd words of Rudyard Kipling, "Oh, East is East, and West is West, and never the twain shall meet." With all due respect, Mr. Kipling, perhaps it's time to revise the phrase!! How about replacing it with Rocky's profound, "Holly, Bolly, Bolly, Holly, same wood, different tree!!"