Bollywood/Hollywood is a 2002 Canadian romantic comedy drama film directed by Deepa Mehta and starring Rahul Khanna and Lisa Ray.
The film pokes fun at traditional Indian stereotypes, as well as at Indian cinema (it features several Indian film-style song-and-dance numbers). Akshaye Khanna – a brother of Rahul – makes a cameo appearance in the film.
Plot Rahul Seth, a wealthy young Indian-Canadian, is pressured by his widowed mother to marry a “proper” Indian girl before his pregnant sister Twinky can wed her fiancé Bobby. Still grieving the accidental death of his white pop-singer girlfriend Kimberly, Rahul reluctantly agrees, especially since his mother threatens to halt Twinky’s marriage to protect the family’s reputation. At a bar, he meets Sue, a woman he mistakes for a Spanish escort, and hires her to act as his Indian fiancée to satisfy his mother’s wishes.
As the charade continues, Rahul learns that Sue (Sunita) is actually Indian. Though initially upset at her deception, he is drawn to her bold, mischievous nature and the way she bonds with his insecure younger brother, Govind. Their relationship grows stronger, but trouble arises when Sue is falsely accused of being a prostitute at Bobby’s bachelor party. Hurt by Rahul’s doubt, Sue leaves, and Rahul is forced to admit the truth to his family, shattering his mother’s hopes for a respectable wedding. Meanwhile, Twinky takes matters into her own hands and elopes with Bobby.
Encouraged by his witty driver Rocky, his Shakespeare-quoting grandmother, and even the ghosts of his father and Kimberly, Rahul realizes that he truly loves Sue. In a dramatic balcony scene at her home, he confesses his feelings, only to be playfully rejected at first. But Sue surprises him by reappearing as his chauffeur, symbolizing her acceptance of his love. The story concludes with reconciliation, family acceptance, and a joyous celebration, blending the melodrama, humor, and romance of Bollywood with a Canadian twist.
Cast
Music
The music, which is composed by Sandeep Chowta, received good reviews.
Reception Critical response
Bollywood/Hollywood was met with "mixed reviews", and has a rating of 41% on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, based on 46 reviews.
Accolades At the 23rd Genie Awards, presented in February 2003, the film received five nominations: Best Motion Picture, Best Original Screenplay (Deepa Mehta), Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Ranjit Chowdhry), and Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Dina Pathak) and (Moushmi Chatterji).Bollywood Hollywood gets 5 Genie nominations Times of India, January 3, 2003. Mehta won the Genie for Best Original Screenplay.
Bollywood/Hollywood also won the Student Jury Award at the Newport International Film Festival, the Audience Award (Best Comedy) at the Sarasota Film Festival, and the Best Director (Canadian Film) at the Vancouver Film Critics Circle.
References
External links