Bollywood Is For Lovers

In this episode we recap the back end of 2016′s Bollywood releases. Show Notes: We’re back! Our episode on the first half of 2016 (https://audioboom.com/posts/4732056-episode-21-2016-mid-year-review?t=0) The master list on Lettrboxd (http://letterboxd.com/mattbowes/list/bollywood-is-for-lovers-master-list/) Bollywood (http://www.blue13dance.com/) at Disney’s California Adventure Festival of Holidays (https://disneyland.disney.go.com/events-tours/disney-california-adventure/festival-of-holidays/) Sarbjit (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarbjit_(film)) Phobia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phobia(2016film)) Udta Punjab (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Udta_Punjab) There’s a lot to read out there on UP’s problems with the Censor Board, but for the sake of brevity here’s an article from the Independent (http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/udta-punjab-and-bollywoods-battle-with-the-censors-a7113286.html) Raman Raghav 2.0 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RamanRaghav2.0)

In honour of his latest release, Befikre, we discuss three films directed by Aditya Chopra. Show Notes: We’ve been very busy and very sick Aditya Chopra (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aditya_Chopra) Our episode on DDLJ (https://audioboom.com/posts/4467726-episode-7-come-fall-in-love?t=0) Yash Raj Films (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YashRajFilms) Mohabbatein (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohabbatein) A huge cast of icons and newcomers So many leaves Everyone is fallin’ in love, even though it is forbidden Uday Chopra’s sexy and intense dancing (https://youtu.be/4vwqlLkymIE) Why does Amitabh Bachchan hate love? Early 2000s fashion Songs: “Soni Soni (https://youtu.be/OpLD97fG9Hw),” “Aankhein Khuli (https://youtu.be/eM8Mjuq4MwQ),” “Pairon Mein Bandhan Hai (https://youtu.be/bC7RmYYMqTw),” and “Humko Humise Chura Lo (https://youtu.be/zWPsjhBaRb0)” INTERVAL (“Phir Milenge Chalte Chalte (https://youtu.be/S3P3DSk_ap0)” from Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi) Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (https://en.wikipedia

To celebrate the end of #Noirvember, we welcome fellow Edmonton cinephile and podcaster Neale Barnholden to discuss two classic Bollywood films noir starring Dev Anand. Show Notes: Thank you Ryan Currie! Neale on Twitter (https://twitter.com/nealpolitan), Witch, Please (http://ohwitchplease.ca), and Plot Device (https://soundcloud.com/plotdevice) Matt and Erin want all films to feature singing and dancing dogs The Pacific Cinematheque (http://www.thecinematheque.ca) Film Noir (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filmnoir) #Noirvember (https://twitter.com/hashtag/noirvember) Dev Anand (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DevAnand) Shah Shahid’s piece at Indian Screen (http://indianscreen.com/spotlight-dev-anand-how-a-legend-helped-shape-the-current-bollywood-landscape/) Guru Dutt (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guru_Dutt) Erin misread her notes: Dutt directed Jaal, the film that he and Anand acted in together is Hum Ek Hain INTERVAL (“Suno Gajar Kya Gaye (https://youtu.be/MF7EhAB0um8)” from Baazi) Baazi (https://

We welcome Shah Shahid of Blank Page Beatdown (http://www.blankpagebeatdown.com/) and the Split Screen Podcast (https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/split-screen-podcast/id1056295660?mt=2) to discuss one of our favourite underrated stars, Randeep Hooda (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randeep_Hooda) Show Notes: Thank you filmilibrarian for the review! The influx of Bollywood podcasts The genesis of the Split Screen Podcast Insight into high school Matt and Erin (and Shah and his wife, awww) Media comprehension skills we take for granted Edmonton Bollywood fans ask Cineplex to screen Hindi and Punjabi language films on south side (http://www.edmontonexaminer.com/2016/08/24/edmonton-bollywood-fans-ask-cineplex-to-screen-hindi-and-punjabi-language-films-on-south-side) Cineplex says it won’t play Tamil film Kabali at its theatres due to safety concerns (http://www.citynews.ca/2016/07/14/cineplex-says-it-wont-play-tamil-film-kabali-at-its-theatres-due-to-safety-concerns/) Monsoon Wedding (https://en

To get us in the Halloween spirit, we look at two horror films starring Bollywood’s reigning scream queen Bipasha Basu. Show Notes: We are now available on Indian iTunes Thanks to Tilottama Biswas for the review Horror as a niche genre Planet Money Episode 650: The Scariest Thing in Hollywood Scream Queens Bipasha Basu Should we review Bollywood workout videos? Creature 3D Imran Abbas as a fake Booker Prize winning writer Don’t be the guy that brings the guitar to the party The creature is a Brahmaraksha, we have no idea if this is a real legend or not (the Wendigo is!) The creature’s design and roar Kathy Gibson’s review INTERVAL (”Katra Katra” from Alone) Alone Karan Singh Grover as Bips’ on-screen (and off-screen) husband Bipasha Basu’s skin is flawless How to film a exorcism without objectifying the possessed woman Bollywood Bloodbath and “He Meet Me In The Guest House” Conjoined twins; real life is a lot more frightening than this film NEXT TIME: We welcome Shah Shahid of Blank Page Beatdown a

We welcome back film critic Danny Bowes (http://www.bydannybowes.com/) to discuss Abbas-Mustan’s Race duology. Show Notes: We are not talking about the Jesse Owens film (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Race(2016film)) High-art versus high-entertainment Matt didn’t see the plot twists coming! Race (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Race(2008film)) Ranvir Singh versus Ranveer Singh Akshaye Khanna steals Bipasha Basu from Saif Ali Khan at a party: “Dekho Hashe Mein (https://youtu.be/41wHHp1L1-4)” Hardboiled plot machinations Saif Ali Khan ex-machina and star charisma Comparisons to Don (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don(2006Hindifilm) ) and Dhoom (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhoom) Katrina Kaif dancing: “Zara Zara Touch Me (https://youtu.be/SvkEdNwYtQ)” and “Khwab Dekha (https://youtu.be/6FuItxLckvA)” INTERVAL (”Allah Duhai Hai (https://youtu.be/Cmpd1uxqr7E)” from Race 2, also there’s a Race version (https://youtu.be/n-bsPnT5ZpQ)) Rcae 2 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Race2) Sibling rivalries …and beach pa

To celebrate the podcast’s first anniversary we reflect on the past year before turning our focus to one of Hindi cinema’s most iconic and celebrated films, Lagaan. Show Notes: Happy anniversary to Bollywood is For Lovers and thank you to all of our guests and listeners! Understanding and appreciating popular cinema versus art house Western film criticism’s bias by omission towards Bollywood BBC’s The 21st Century’s 100 greatest films (http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20160819-the-21st-centurys-100-greatest-films) Arbitrary markers of cinematic quality Forbes’ The World’s Highest-Paid Actors 2016 (http://www.forbes.com/actors/#130fee382740) (also Erin meant Andy Lau, who doesn’t seem to appear on the list this year, but he did last year) Lagaan: Once Upon A Time In India (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lagaan) Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AcademyAwardforBestForeignLanguageFilm) (INTERVAL (“Chale Chalo (https://youtu.be/LQmHKl3oNu0)” from Lagaan

We welcome fellow Edmonton podcasters and funny people The Movie Jerks (http://www.themoviejerks.ca/) on to discuss Jism and Jism 2. Show Notes: Welcome to The Movie Jerks and our lost collaboration episode Aśoka (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A%C5%9Boka_(film)) and Saawariya (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saawariya) Liking movies that flop Shawn Gramiak’s desire to be beat up by Salman Khan How Bollywood challenges western perceptions of quality cinema Cinematography, colour, and travelogues Jism (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jism(2003film)) (remake of Body Heat (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BodyHeat), which is itself a remake of Double Indemnity (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DoubleIndemnity_(film)) John Abraham (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JohnAbraham(actor)) and Bipasha Basu (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bipasha_Basu) Channel 4 poll of the 100 sexiest film scenes (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/Jism-among-hottest-in-UK-poll/articleshow/

We discuss Bollywood’s next leading man, heartthrob Varun Dhawan and three films that showcase his exceptional range. Show Notes: · Varun Dhawan (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varun_Dhawan), is he a dreamboat or a heartthrob? · Is there Bollywood Dirty Dancing (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DirtyDancing)? (Apparently Pooja Bhatt’s Holiday (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holiday(2006_film)) is a remake of DD) · Nepotism in Bollywood Student of The Year (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/StudentoftheYear) (listen to us discuss it here: https://audioboom.com/boos/4467740-episode-4-bollywood-the-next-generation?t=0), Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HumptySharmaKiDulhania) (which we discuss here: https://audioboom.com/boos/4467733-episode-12-bollywood-s-sweetheart-alia-bhatt?t=0), and Dilwale (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dilwale(2015film)) (here: https://audioboom.com/boos/4467734-episode-9-dilwale-bajirao-mastani-with-juliet-franklin?t=0) As an intertextual (h

In honour of the Summer Olympics in Rio, we discuss three films featuring Olympics sports. Show Notes: We’re sorry this episode is late; a storm fried both our router and our computer The 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016SummerOlympics) We don’t like sports, but we like sports movies We’re not discussing Mary Kom (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MaryKom(film)), because we already did (https://audioboom.com/boos/4467735-episode-6-who-s-the-hottest-girl-in-the-world?t=0) Chak De! India (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ChakDe!India) The unfortunate status of women’s sports Cultural diversity and sports/film as nation building Girl power and solidarity Erin’s plans for a Canadian remake (INTERVAL “Chak De! India (https://youtu.be/OSEw6kv70Xw)” from Chah De! India) Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BhaagMilkhaBhaag) Milkha Singh, The Flying Sikh (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MilkhaSingh) Flashbacks in your flashbacks Partition of India (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki

We welcome Erin’s Trash, Art, and The Movies (https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/trash-art-and-the-movies/id352420040?mt=2) co-host and our good friend Paul Matwychuk (https://twitter.com/Myelbow) on to breakdown two different adaptations of the classic Bengali novella Devdas. Show Notes: Listen to Erin’s other show, Trash, Art, and The Movies! We did an episode on Memento vs. Ghajini (https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/taatm-105-memento-vs.-ghajini/id352420040?i=1000315013357&mt=2) Devdas (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devdas) by (a 17 year-old) Sarat Chandra Chattopahyay (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SaratChandraChattopadhyay) P.C. Barua’s Devdas (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devdas(1936film)) and Bimal Roy’s Devdas (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devdas(1955film)) “The Devdas Phenomenon (http://www.uiowa.edu/indiancinema/devdas)” by Corey K. Creekmur Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Devdas (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devdas(2002Hindi_film)) The dowry system (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Do

To celebrate Canada Day we look at three films shot in our home province of Alberta Canada. Show Notes: Happy Canada Day! Erin is sick, also we picked the wrong setting on our mic. so she sounds very far away Alberta has more Oscar nominations than any other province in Canada Tum Bin (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tum_Bin), songs: “Chhoti Chhoti Raatein (https://youtu.be/2S-1S9SPZ00 )”and “Pyar Humko Hone Laga (https://youtu.be/mJlDDZPCaAE0” Humko Deewana Kar Gaye (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HumkoDeewanaKarGaye), songs: “Tum Jo Na Aate"/title song (https://youtu.be/LXuZXdR3trU) and sad version (https://youtu.be/l938aA3pge8), “Fana Fanah Ye Dil Fanah (https://youtu.be/3uOCVmwfPrI),” and “Bhula Denge Tumko Sanam (https://youtu.be/8Q2YA5sOZY)” Koi... Mil Gaya (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koi...MilGaya) Satyajit Ray’s The Alien (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TheAlien(film)) The Krrish (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krrish_(franchise)) series Songs shot in Alberta: “In Pancchiyon (https

In this episode we summarize the highlights and lowlights of the year’s films so far and look ahead to the second half of 2016. Show Notes: · Matt on Letterboxd (https://letterboxd.com/mattbowes/) · Thank you for all of the kind words, we appreciate them so much · Erin was on the Split Screen podcast (http://www.blankpagebeatdown.com/split-screen-podcast-episode-13-bollywood-director-remakes-own-movie-in-hollywood/) · We’re sad to have lost Anton Yelchin (go see Green Room) · Wazir (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wazir_(film)) · Kathy Gibson’s review (https://accessbollywood.net/2016/01/08/movie-review-wazir-2016/) · Airlift (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airlift_(film)) · Mastizaade (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mastizaade) · Fitoor (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fitoor) · “Pashmina” (https://youtu.be/uxTXp0-iZrY) Note: this dance is not in the film · Katrina Kaif’s red hair (http://www.indicine.com/img/2015/05/Katrina

In this episode we celebrate Pride by discussing three recent Hindi films featuring LGBTQ characters and issues. Show Notes: It’s Edmonton Pride week (http://www.edmontonpride.ca/) Gay stereotypes and comedic relief Thank you Annarios for your review! Is Erin funny? Deep Mehta’s Fire(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire(1996film)) and Bombay Talkies (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BombayTalkies(film)) Margarita With A Straw (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MargaritawithaStraw) Disliking a film with good intentions Kalki Koechlin’s commitment to her role Gabrielle (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabrielle(2013_film)) “normal” is relative INTERVAL (“Kar Gayi Chuli” (https://youtu.be/-sWXx1mbgtU) from Kapoor & Sons) Kapoor & Sons (Since 1921) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kapoor%26Sons) Arjun Kapoor (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ArjunKapoor) in name only Spoiler alert: Fawad Khan’s character is gay and his family doesn’t know Fawad Khan is really attractive (http://st1.bollywoodlife.com/wp-content/up

In this episode we are joined by writer and film lover Allan Mott to discuss Canadian porn star turned Bollywood heroine Sunny Leone. Show Notes: Welcome Allan Mott (https://twitter.com/HouseofGlib)! Western pop culture isn’t universal Hrithik Roshan cats (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polydactylcat) Our Krrish 3 review for The Pulp (http://thepulppress.com/boozy-bollywood-krrish-3-2013/) Allan’s Pecha Kucha presentation on The Apple: “Transcending Tacky” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7KrmX3hA2I&feature=youtu.be) Devon Sanders’ “Dignity In Satin: How Wonder Woman Taught Me To Be a Better Man” (http://goodmenproject.com/featured-content/dignity-satin-wonder-woman-taught-man-almo/) Sunny Leone, Vivid Girl turned Bollywood actress (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SunnyLeone) “It Happened To Me: I Worked Graveyard at a Sex Store” (http://www.xojane.com/it-happened-to-me/working-at-a-sex-store) Making the transition from an adult industry to a mainstream one Kim Kardashian, Traci Lords, and Sasha Grey The

In this episode we discuss three films that played at the Cannes Film Festival in the Un Certain Regard program.  Show Notes: We’re on audioBoom and now reaching an audience in Pakistan and India Matt’s adventures in the Toronto airport The Cannes Film Festival Teaser for Anurag Kashyap’s Raman Raghav 2.0 Parallel Cinema is For Lovers! Cinéma vérité Miss Lovely Pornography in India Bollywood Bloodbath INTERVAL (“Mann Kasturi” from Masaan) Cannes films are depressing Titli Yash Raj produced Grace Of Monaco, so is it also Bollywood? The difference between liking a film and respecting it Erin cares little for the daddy and brother issues Masaan Cremation ghats Oh hey, this film has a fully realized female character This film is about the big things: life, sex, and death NEXT TIME: We’re joined by Allan Mott to discuss Canadian porn-star turned Bollywood heroine Sunny Leone Find us on iTunes! and Stitcher! and audioBoom! Follow us on Twitter! Like us on Facebook! #Masaan, #Titli, #MissLovely, #C

In this episode we discuss the iconic 1975 blockbuster Sholay. Show Notes: Sholay’s poster (and Citizen Kane’s) We are now on audioBoom! The Story Of Film: An Odyssey (it’s 15 episodes not 12!) “Sholay BC and Sholay AD” Anupama Chopra, Sholay: The Making of A Classic Dharmendra and Amitabh Bachchan Amjad Khan as Gabbar Singh Source issues The Magnificent Two and the influence of Hollywood westerns Sholay as national allegory Film romance mirrors life INTERVAL (”Yeh Dosti Hum Nahi Todenge” from Sholay) Expectations and watching a classic for the first time The portrayal of violence Lasting tropes and aesthetics Location photography “Haan Jab Tak Hai Jaan” and the male gaze Director’s cut Cross-cultural film pollination Please Criterion Collection release this film! “40 Years Of Sholay” by Siddhant Adlakha and “The Blinding Light Of Sholay: A 40th Anniversary Appreciation” by Danny Bowes NEXT TIME: We look at three films hat have played at Cannes in the Un Certain Regard competition Find us on iTu

In this episode we welcome writer and film critic Danny Bowes to discuss reviewing Bollywood movies and the films that introduced him to South Asian cinema. Show Notes: Superstar Rajinikanth and Enthiran Star power and celebrity Matt’s wrong, Tees Maar Khan’s Rotten Tomatoes score is 18% Appreciating popular cinema Bollywood’s popularity in North America, but lack of exposure Writing for rogerebert.com Approaching every film on its own terms “Munni Badnaam Hui” from Dabangg  INTERVAL (”Sheila Ki Jawani” from Tees Maar Khan) Om Shanti Om Wanted Salman Khan’s star persona “Jalwa” Twists and Matt’s perceptive ability to call them Are masala cop movies fascist? The obligatory love interest The way in which Salman Khan’s shirt is removed Tees Maar Khan Erin is learning to appreciate Akshay Kumar Farah Khan addresses Slumdog Millionaire  Every member of the cast and crew gets screen time during the credits Katrina Kaif’s resemblance to both Marilyn Monroe and Arnold Schwarzenegger Danny Bowes’ Twitter, weekly

In this episode we discuss three films by Kabir Khan that focus on global perspectives and reactions to terrorist attacks. Show Notes: Kabir Khan, from documentaries to mainstream commercial filmmaking Ek Tha Tiger and Bajrangi Bhaijaan Human scale perspective of global politics  Kabul Express Loosely based on Khan’s own experiences in post-Taliban Afghanistan Whiskey Tango Foxtrot and Afghan vs. Afghani  A very fancy donkey Location shooting and a different perspective on modern conflicts Connecting through popular culture Banned in Afghanistan  INTERVAL (”Afghan Jalebi (Ya Baba)” from Phantom) New York Spoiler alert! We couldn’t really discuss the film otherwise Post 9/11 detentions  Matt mixes up Ek Tha Tiger and Bad Boys II, is Kabir Khan the Michael Bay of Bollywood? How terrorism is propgated by the reaction to terrorism Erin rewrites the film’s twist Portrayal of torture  Phantom 26/11 Mumbai attacks Revenge fantasy  Unsurprisingly banned in Pakistan  Erin has moral issues with this film NEXT

In this episode we discuss Salman Khan’s three most profitable films to date.  Show Notes: List of highest-grossing Indian films worldwide The popularity of the three Khans Baahubali: The Beginning (Which Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions released, but maybe didn’t have much to do with the production?) Franchise power versus star power Deepika Padukone, the secret weapon to box office success?  Genre diversity and social issues Kick  Jacqueline Fernandez, Randeep Hooda, Nargis Fakhri The 100 Crore Club Salman Khan A controversial and divisive figure Jai Ho versus “Jai Ho” “Jumme Ki Ratt” and “Hangover” Kathy Gibson’s review in Access Bollywood INTERVAL (”Devil- Yaar Naa Miley” from Kick) Bajrangi Bhaijaan Kareena Kapoor, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Harshaali Malhotra Monkey God Hanuman Indo-Pakistani relations/ Hindu-Muslim relations Missing children in India and reliability of public institutions  Superfluous romance Prem Ratan Dhan Payo Sonam Kapoor, Neil Nitin Mukesh The Prisoner of Zenda Too many songs  “