Bollywood film Three Idiots gets a writeup in LA Times

The LA Times did a major story on Vidhu Vinod Chopra, director of Bollywood movie, Three Idiots. According to them, "3 Idiots," now tops the list of highest-grossing Bollywood films (I am somewhat confused by that report as others are saying that My Name is Khan is currently #1). The story reveals that the filmmaker is leasing in Beverly Hills and planning his first movie in English. The movies mentioned include his 1981 feature film debut, "Sazaye Maut" ("Death Penalty"), , "Mission Kashmir", my own favorite "1942: A Love Story"and "Munna Bhai MBBS." "3 Idiots," released by Reliance Big Pictures has reported earned more than $52 million during its first 10 days in theaters. The story says that outside of India, the movie, made for $8 million, has brought in about $16 million, with a record-setting $6.5 million coming from the U.S. A little known fact that the Times talks about is that Chopra’s post-film school documentary "An Encounter with Faces," about impoverished children in India, was nominated for an Oscar in 1979.

The story of "3 Idiots" is about three friends at a tough engineering college in India who deal with difficulties like academic pressures and family. Aamir Khan who is one of Bollywood’s biggest stars in one of the title roles. According to the story, Chopra has made LA a second home where he spends two weeks every month. His next movie is "Broken Horses," about two brothers, one a violinist in New York, the other a hired gun, set against the drug war on the U.S.-Mexico border. Read the complete story on LA Times here.

Credit for photo: bollywoodhungama.com, url link to photo is here (creative commons license)

Bollywood film tops ticket sales record, #6 of Top 10 in UK, #13 in US

(from bollywoodhungama.com using Creative Commons Licence)

My Name is Khan, by 20th Century Fox, is number six on the UK box office, #13 in the US, and has also become Bollywood’s most successful UK box office opener ever.  This movie became controversial when right-wing Hindu political party Shiv Sena targeted Muslim star Shah Rukh Khan and tried to prevent the movie from opening.  However according to UK news reports, it has already grossed more than £936,000 in the UK and $2.3m  in the US over the four-day holiday weekend. In the film, Khan plays the role of a US Muslim Indian with Asperger’s syndrome whose life is turned upside down after September 11.  Starring opposite him is Kajol, a single Hindu mother.The previous record for a Bollywood film in its opening period in the UK was held by Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna which also starred Shah Rukh.

 UK TOP 10
1. Valentine’s Day
2. Avatar
3. The Wolfman
4. The Princess And The Frog
5. Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief
6. My Name Is Khan
7. Invictus
8. A Single Man
9. Alvin And The Chipmunks: The Squeakquel
10. Astro Boy
(source: http://uk.movies.yahoo.com/movie-charts/)

Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan responds to Indian right wing political party’s threat to boycott his new film

Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan made an unassuming statement that most Indians would agree with – namely that he supported the participation of Pakistani players in the Indian cricket league – Indian Premier League.  This statement caused a maelström - all created by one right wing political party – Shiv Sena.  Shiv Sena has been fighting all week to stop Shah Rukh’s latest move “My name is Khan” from screening, in response to his “pro-Pakistan” comment.  Bollywood, long known for encouraging better relations between Hindus and Muslims, between Pakistanis and Indians did not have a ready response.  Many feel this is because the film industry is financially dependent on Shiv Sena and similar political parties, and because of the atmosphere of fear prevalent in Bollywood.

Reuters reported that not a single producers’ body or any industry organisation has spoken out against the fact that the Sena might prevent “My Name is Khan” from being released.  However some actors have spoken out including Salman Khan, Hrithik Roshan and Shilpa Shetty.  Hrithik tweeted: Spread humanity with a vengeance, GO WATCH MY NAME IS KHAN. ..and for the record, my name is HRITHIK ROSHAN.

Shah Rukh had the following to say (Short twitspeak lengthened for clarity):

“I appeal to all to understand that mumbai is the gateway of india to the world. The film industry is india’s cultural ambassador all around the globe.  All of us have the responsibilty to protect the fair name of Mumbai… Mumbai’s film industry & its spirit of pluralism and tolerance is legendary. I do (my part) all around the world and can do so wherever needed”.

In his twitter stream, Shah Rukh talked about how his English teacher told him not to write too much and how his wife says not to say too much.  He was tweeting about his experience so that he (and others) know that he has not said anything bad in the last few days.  Shah Rukh added, “I think these conspiracy theories on art,sports etc being used to fund untoward activities is completely off the mark. Why should we have this demarcation permeate in fields of art,sports,culture and otherwise normal things. Is that a wrong way to think??  We have bad ppl (people) in india, pakistan and everywhere else. nobody including me stands by anyone who is bad or resorts to inhuman acts.  There (are) good (and) bad people in all groups or places. For the acts of bad by some we cannot generalise on grounds of physical boundaries.  I have the courage of conviction by my side. I (am explaining) because (it is) better to do that, than create aggression (and) division in my country. I have no ego or false sense of pride. my words have been benign & without ill will to any person (s) or my nation. I also hope with (what) i write (and) say I have not hurt anybody’s sensibilities or sentiments. My intention is never to do so. (I) hope peace prevails. (I) hope misunderstandings get cleared. (I) hope nobody is hurt. (I) hope all leaders (and) activists have largesse of heart. Hope…”

Let’s hope cooler heads prevail.  India should not be ruled by sectarians and their supporters.  We need people of high moral principle who have the courage to act on their convictions.