London Dreams

What a fun visit to the theatre with The Bollywood Fan ! This movie is funnier than it intends to be, and very entertaining, despite all its flaws (and there are many).

Title: London Dreams
Year: 2009
Cast: Salman Khan, Asin, Ajay Devgan, Om Puri

2 Children go to school together in Bhatinda, Punjab. One wants to be a music superstar. So much so, that he wishes his dad, who forbids him from practicing, would just stop- and lo- the dad dies! Such is the power of dreams!

And lo- the child is whisked away to London by his uncle, Om Puri, where he runs off (the child, not Om Puri- sheesh), so that he can beg on the streets and get admitted to a conservatory with the money- which is astounding- never knew there was so much cash in the begging business- career switch, anyone?

before we know it, the child has grown, and finally leaves the conservatory when he turns into what looks like 40-something Ajay Devgan. Why he waits so long before he decides to leave school, I don't understand.

But he does, so that at least is commendable. Off he walk, straight into Trafalgar Square. The begging biz must have done him good over the years, because he sets up amazing sound systems out of a tiny box, and gives an impromptu U2-Where the Streets Have No Name style concert- all the goris, goras, desis of all ages bop away to glory upon hearing his sound, while he recruits band members on the spot- Rannvijay and Aditya to play guitar, and Asin to dance around.

Which would be fine, but elsewhere, his childhood friend has grown into 40-something-but-looks-like-30-something Salman in Bhatinda, who is looking amazing, singing amazing songs and romancing hot women.

The rest of it is about Ajay getting Salman to London to join his band, and then being eaten up by jealousy when Salman proves better than him. That's it.

And it isn't bad- not in the least. As flippant as I sound (and feel), the movie is completely entertaining, and once again after Wanted, Salman proves that he is back in his groove, doing a very good job of it. For the boys, there is always Asin to look at- but as much as Ajay is a good actor, he really is too old to play a rock star- my 18 year-old sister wears the same belt he sports in the posters, and looks better.

Verdict: Watch it, sure- there really isn't anything better in theaters.

Bolly Chandeliers

LAST UPDATED: 10/31/09

I have a thing for Bollywood Chandeliers. Heck I have a thing for all chandeliers, but since 99% of Bollywood movies have these, I play "spot the chandelier" every time I watch a movie. I've decided to share these with you, and will post all chandelier screenshots in this space (see link on side bar of page). Send me a pic if you have a fav bolly chandelier you want to share!

16. Mehbooba (2008): From Sitaji at Bollywood Food Club. Ajay celebrates his happiness by swinging on a chandelier- you mean you don't do that every time you get the giggles as well????!


15. Trishul (1978): From Beth, the scene where Angsty Amitabh meets Sprightly Shashi and Happy Hema at a party. Tension and cutesiness all in a bunch, enlightened by tons of chandeliers and lamps. Lurvely.



14. Rang Birangi (1983): From Beth, the scene where Dipti Naval goes to meet Praveen Babi, playing Sanjeev's not-so-ill wife. I really like this shot, where Hrishikesh, known for his simplistic shots, is hinting at glamor and "high" class. And of course one has to love the voyeuristic shot by the director.


13. Koyla (1997): From Sitaji by the Bollywood Food Blog. Shahrukh dancing atop a chandelier in blackface- its actually better than it sounds!


12. Om Shanti Om (2002): As suggested by The Bollywood Fan and Junli. Personally, I think that Shahrukh's chandelier looks like a spaceship- which isn't a bad thing at all. However, I do prefer Arjun's black (or black in appearance) chandelier (2nd screencap)- I need me one of those!

11. Devdas (2002): As suggested by The Bollywood Fan. I have to agree with him that the Maar Dala song especially utterly glows with the use of chandeliers and light. Probably some of the best use of chandeliers ever.


10. The Rising: Ballad of Mangal Pandey (2005): As suggested by The Bollywood Fan. Not the best of screencaps, but Rani mujras away to glory under a pretty fair chandelier.


9. Ram Lakhan (1989): As suggested by Sujoy. Madhuri dreams of Anil and chandeliers while singing a song. Which does she prefer? :D


9. The Rising: Ballad of Mangal Pandey (2005): As suggested by The Bollywood Fan. Not the best of screencaps, but Rani mujras away to glory under a pretty fair chandelier.


8. Nagina (1986): As suggested by Sujoy. Who looks prettier w/ the chandelier? as much as I love Sridevi, I have to say its beauty offsets Amreesh's glowering anger brilliantly!


7. Kranti (1981): As suggested by Bollywooddeewana. I have seen tons of swinging with chandeliers to kill villains, but this is the first time I am witnessing a song sung on one. Utterly amazing. But since Praveen does it for Shashi's sake, it is understandeable- we'd do anything for him too.


6. Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999): As suggested by Darshit. Love at first chandelier- is there anything better?


5. Najma (1943): Veena in the titular role, being romanced by ashok Kumar- good 'ol nawabi fun.
4. Pakeezah (1972): Meena's swan song, and the poster is lovely!


3. Umrao Jaan (1981): movie poster, but the film itself abounds w/ chandeliers, symbolic of mughal opulence.


2. Karma (1986): Not only does Tom Alter join hands with Shakti to become a terrorist (from a unnamed neighboring country- ahem!), he has a preference for funky red phones, a Star of David and a chandelier as decor for their lair. Fun stuff.


1- Insaniyat (1994)- terrible movie, cool chandeliers. Notice that even the villain's lair (bottom left) has floor to ceiling chandeliers!