1. Bollywood Romance: When God Arranges Your Marriage LaaF # 34 David Kitani and friends 3/27/11 LaaF # 34 David Kitani and friends 3/27/11

2. OVERVIEW What is Bollywood? Why should I care about Bollywood? A History of Bollywood Trademarks of Bollywood films The Film “Rab Ne Bana De Jodi” Some Background Arranged Marriage vs. Love Marriage What is Bollywood? Why should I care about Bollywood? A History of Bollywood Trademarks of Bollywood films The Film “Rab Ne Bana De Jodi” Some Background Arranged Marriage vs. Love Marriage

3. What is Bollywood? The basic defintion: Bombay (now Mumbai) + Hollywood = Bollywood! - Basically it's the Hindi-film industry of India, based mainly in Mumbai *Mumbai is the 2 nd most populous city in the WORLD! The basic defintion: Bombay (now Mumbai) + Hollywood = Bollywood! - Basically it's the Hindi-film industry of India, based mainly in Mumbai *Mumbai is the 2 nd most populous city in the WORLD!

4. Why should I care about Bollywood?

5. 1) Don’t take this offensively, but Indians are the 2nd biggest “horde of (south) Asians”! as of 3/27/2011: 1,195,780,000 to be exact

6. As a result, in the future, according to Mr. Peters: “everyone’s going to be beige…you can run from us but, sooner or later, we’re gonna hump you.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDl8unyFE0c

7. 2) Bollywood releases the most films and sells the most tickets in THE WORLD!

8. 3) Because its awesome! GOSH!

9. A “Brief” History of Bollywood

10. The Beginnings: “ Raja Harishchandra ” (1913), was the first silent feature film made in India. The first Indian sound film, Ardeshir Irani's “ Alam Ara ” (1931), was a major commercial success.

11. 1930’s - 1940’s: Films for Escape Tumultuous times -great depression, WWII, India independence, violent partition of ndia (Pakistan and India) *see Jinna Hwang ’ s March 2009 lecture Tumultuous times -great depression, WWII, India independence, violent partition of ndia (Pakistan and India) *see Jinna Hwang ’ s March 2009 lecture

12. Late 1940’s-1960’s: Golden Age of Bollywood Cinema Guru Dutt’s “Pyasa” (1957) - Time Magazine’s All-Time 100 Best Films. - Dutt considered one of the greatest Asian film makers of all time. Guru Dutt’s “Pyasa” (1957) - Time Magazine’s All-Time 100 Best Films. - Dutt considered one of the greatest Asian film makers of all time. Mehboob Khan’s “Mother India” (1957) - nominated for Best Foreign Language Oscar

13. 1970’s: Gangsters and Bandits “Sholay” and “Dewar” (1975) The rise of Amitab Bachan! “Sholay” and “Dewar” (1975) The rise of Amitab Bachan!

14. 1980s: Some Realism Mira Nair ’ s “ Salaam Bombay! ” (1988) - Wins the Camera d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival - Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film Mira Nair ’ s “ Salaam Bombay! ” (1988) - Wins the Camera d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival - Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film

15. 1990s: Back to Romance “ Hum Aapke Hain Kaun...! ” (1994) “ Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge ” (1995), (aka Who am I to You?!) (aka The Big Hearted Wins the Bride) making stars out Shahrukh Khan and Kajol “ Hum Aapke Hain Kaun...! ” (1994) “ Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge ” (1995), (aka Who am I to You?!) (aka The Big Hearted Wins the Bride) making stars out Shahrukh Khan and Kajol

16. 2000 to present: World Influence Baz Luhrmann stated that his musical film “ Moulin Rouge! ” (2001) was directly inspired by Bollywood musicals. Which in turn inspires a revival of musicals in Hollywood. In the UK, Gurinder Chadha ’ s “ Bend it Like Beckham ” (2002) becomes the highest- grossing Indian-themed film ever in the U.S. with $32 million in box office revenue & her explicitly Bollywood style “ Bride and Prejudice ” (2004) introduces Indian cinema to a larger audience. Then Danny Boyle ’ s “ Slumdog millionaire ” (2008) basically sweeps the Academy Awards that year, including Best Picture. Baz Luhrmann stated that his musical film “ Moulin Rouge! ” (2001) was directly inspired by Bollywood musicals. Which in turn inspires a revival of musicals in Hollywood. In the UK, Gurinder Chadha ’ s “ Bend it Like Beckham ” (2002) becomes the highest- grossing Indian-themed film ever in the U.S. with $32 million in box office revenue & her explicitly Bollywood style “ Bride and Prejudice ” (2004) introduces Indian cinema to a larger audience. Then Danny Boyle ’ s “ Slumdog millionaire ” (2008) basically sweeps the Academy Awards that year, including Best Picture.

17. TRADEMARKS OF BOLLYWOOD FILMS Indian audiences want their money’s worth (there’s a word for it “paisa vasool”) so: 1)They’re long (like this lecture): usually around 3 hours 2)They mix in a lot aka masala style: musical, comedy, romance, and even some action 3)They’re over the top: elaborate, enormous, and effervescent dance numbers 4)They don’t have to suspend disbelief: unlike Hollywood films, Bollywood films do not try to suspend disbelief, but revels in the fantasy of creation. There is a strong tradition in India of narrating through song and dance This leads us to our film of the evening … Indian audiences want their money’s worth (there’s a word for it “paisa vasool”) so: 1)They’re long (like this lecture): usually around 3 hours 2)They mix in a lot aka masala style: musical, comedy, romance, and even some action 3)They’re over the top: elaborate, enormous, and effervescent dance numbers 4)They don’t have to suspend disbelief: unlike Hollywood films, Bollywood films do not try to suspend disbelief, but revels in the fantasy of creation. There is a strong tradition in India of narrating through song and dance This leads us to our film of the evening …

18. “RAB NE BANA DE JODI” (2008) aka “A Match Made by God”

19. a lil’ background to the film… It stars Shahrukh Khan as a beta male It’s the 6th highest grossing Bollywood film of all time It pays homage to Bollywood history (the song you will dance too!) It references the Sikh faith (a monotheistic religion originating in 15 th century Punjab region of India) It stars Shahrukh Khan as a beta male It’s the 6th highest grossing Bollywood film of all time It pays homage to Bollywood history (the song you will dance too!) It references the Sikh faith (a monotheistic religion originating in 15 th century Punjab region of India)

20. A Big Idea in the Film: Love Marriage vs. Arranged Marriage Summarized in the line by Taani’s father: “…in life we make some relationships and some are made by God” (or your parents :P) Love Marriage your choice dating/courtship encouraged getting to know BEFORE marriage expected relies upon your wisdom + friend + more passion initially - battle for parents permission, just you two - 50% divorce rate in US Love Marriage your choice dating/courtship encouraged getting to know BEFORE marriage expected relies upon your wisdom + friend + more passion initially - battle for parents permission, just you two - 50% divorce rate in US Arranged Marriage another ’ s choice dating/courtship frowned upon without engagement getting to know AFTER marriage expected relies upon community wisdom - stranger - less passion initially + no battle for parents permission, part of community + 5-7% divorce rate Arranged Marriage another ’ s choice dating/courtship frowned upon without engagement getting to know AFTER marriage expected relies upon community wisdom - stranger - less passion initially + no battle for parents permission, part of community + 5-7% divorce rate

21. Or to put the two types of marriage in other words… By Asha from NBC’s “Outsourced”: “think about it like this - a love marriage is like hot soup that grows cold over time. An arranged marriage is like cold soup that you heat over time.” By Asha from NBC’s “Outsourced”: “think about it like this - a love marriage is like hot soup that grows cold over time. An arranged marriage is like cold soup that you heat over time.”

22. My opinion on the topic ( from only being married almost 2 years) : Our love marriage culture can learn a little from the arranged marriage culture you are always getting to know your partner. you can ’ t really know someone enough before you get married (there are some things you can only know after you commit to one another). it is a little arrogant to go about thinking you know what is best for yourself. There is wisdom from your parents, your community, and above all God who knows you better than you know yourself. * Marriage is not for your happiness but for your holiness (as you become one you sharpen one another, makes you less selfish, teaches you about God ’ s love) * Consider your partner as God ’ s gift to you (knows you most intimately and uniquely to touch your life … your bff) Our love marriage culture can learn a little from the arranged marriage culture you are always getting to know your partner. you can ’ t really know someone enough before you get married (there are some things you can only know after you commit to one another). it is a little arrogant to go about thinking you know what is best for yourself. There is wisdom from your parents, your community, and above all God who knows you better than you know yourself. * Marriage is not for your happiness but for your holiness (as you become one you sharpen one another, makes you less selfish, teaches you about God ’ s love) * Consider your partner as God ’ s gift to you (knows you most intimately and uniquely to touch your life … your bff)

23. So which one is better? There is much debate to this. In either case there must be: - commitment (Genesis 2) - respect and love (Ephesians 5) There is much debate to this. In either case there must be: - commitment (Genesis 2) - respect and love (Ephesians 5)

24. LaaF Advice Column! Dear Mr. Kitani, I love Hollywood and Bollywood Romance! I’ve been dreaming of my one true love. How do I know when I’ve found the one? Sincerely, Confused Taani Partner Dear Mr. Kitani, I love Hollywood and Bollywood Romance! I’ve been dreaming of my one true love. How do I know when I’ve found the one? Sincerely, Confused Taani Partner

25. Dear Taani Partner, I too love Bollywood (and sometimes Hollywood) dance and romance! Indeed, God may bring into your life someone you could marry, maybe even someone you did not consider at first. Remember to keep in mind a person always marries the wrong “one.” Only with God’s love do we become the right “one” for each other. Sincerely, Mr. Kitani Dear Taani Partner, I too love Bollywood (and sometimes Hollywood) dance and romance! Indeed, God may bring into your life someone you could marry, maybe even someone you did not consider at first. Remember to keep in mind a person always marries the wrong “one.” Only with God’s love do we become the right “one” for each other. Sincerely, Mr. Kitani