‘Bollywood Hero’ To Charm TV Audiences in the US
Posted on August 2, 2009
Filed Under Guest Columnist | 1 Comment
By E. Nina Rothe
Undeniably, after the success of ‘Slumdog Millionaire’, the cross-pollination between Hollywood and Bollywood has been palpable. While US distribution companies are jumping all over themselves to sign deals with Indian production studios, even titans Steven Spielberg and Anil Ambani have shaken hands in a 825-million-dollar deal to make films together.
On August 6th, 7th and 8th, when the Independent Film Channel broadcasts its original three-night Bollywood mini-series event titled ‘Bollywood Hero’ (http://www.ifc.com/bollywood-hero/), the revolution WILL be televised!
Photo: Kerry Monteen/IFC
Starring Saturday Night Live’s Chris Kattan – who also boasts executive producer credits on the series – ‘Bollywood Hero’ tells the story of Chris, a disillusioned Hollywood actor who denounces his life and bit roles in Los Angeles for a starring role in the Bombay film ‘Peculiar Dancing Boy’. Surrounded by larger than life character and facing culture clashes, language barriers and unfamiliar dance moves, Chris’s options are either to sink, or swim to the beats of Bombay, a city not only miles away from LA, but worlds apart from his comfort zone.
The IFC mini-series is the first of its kind produced by a major TV network in the US. Its appeal is inescapable and one needs to look no further than on NYC buses – all painted purple and gold and boasting Kattan’s charming deadpan surrounded by his stunning co-stars Neha Dhupia and Pooja Kumar – to realize the magnitude of the event. Also starring Merchant-Ivory heartthrob Julian Sands – from ‘A Room with a View’ – the talented Rachna Shah and boasting a cameo by Keanu Reeves, the film reunites some of the talent behind ‘Slumdog Millionaire’. Among them, Academy Award winning song ‘Jai Ho’ choreographer Longinus Fernandes and Oscar® winning costume designer Riyazali Merchant.
So, to those unfamiliar with Indian culture I suggest pouring yourself a cup of hot chai, grabbing some marigold-colored glasses and abandoning your senses to the groundbreaking ‘Bollywood Hero’! And to those who are acquainted with Bollywood, well, I know you’ll be watching this for all the beauty, love and grace we have come to expect from the magical world of Indian cinema.
About Nina
E. Nina Rothe is a writer and avid world traveler currently based in NYC. Born in Florence, Italy, she recognized quite early on her gift for identifying the latest trends and locating the hottest destinations. In her writing, Nina has covered everything from New York Fashion Week to the Bombay film scene but always viewing life through the eyes of a stranger. She writes for her own website The Ajnabee (http://theajnabee.com/), has run her own column at Chic Today, contributes to luxury magazine Bespoke and the blog Pop Culture Divas (http://www.popculturedivas.com/).
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What a terrific article! Thanks Nina for letting us know about this new series. And I think you’re right the marriage of Hollywood and Bollywood will be a long and prosperous one! And certainly yield entertaining results for all of us who are interested in the lively and energetic South Asian culture. ;D