11.12.2004
Saturday night at the movies
Posted by justin
Bollywood is bigger than Hollywood. 2.5 million people work in the movie industry, there are 13 000 cinemas across the country and we weren't leaving India till we'd been in one.
Finding ourselves in Jaipur on a Saturday night, we thought this was our time to head down to The Raj Mandir and see some Indian Cinema.
The Raj Mandir is definitely an old jewel of a theatre - it seats around 1300 people, and each of the 3 hour 20 minute sessions (including intermission) generally sell out. We got their early but missed out on the rare diamond seating ($2) , but were still more than satisfied with the offerings of our emerald tickets ($1).
We were treated to Yash Chopra's fantastic Veer-Zaara, an interesting and unusual Bollywood film in that it involved a love story, helicopter action sequences, flashbacks, roaring musical scores, and singing and dancing every five minutes. Singing in the fields, on the top of an Indian bus, in a bathroom, in a bedroom, on a tractor...you get the idea.
The production quality was jaw-droppingly slick and far more polished than Hollywood, even at it's Titanic best. If James Cameron were sitting there I'm sure he would openly weep with admiration at how superbly the Indians have perfected movie cliches.
We didn't cringe though. Oh no - we watched on in absolute, genuine wonder. It did help being all in Hindi, except for the occassional and surprising English phrase like " Ok then, see you on Monday". This meant when locals hotted-up mobile phones rang in perfect polyphonic, signifying the start of a long conversation, we really didn't mind. Wave after wave of rising musical scores drowned out all other sounds anyway.
When intermission hit at 11pm we we're almost keen to watch it right through, but a finishing time of 12:50am just didn't fit in with our early morning train to Ajmer and on to Pushkar. Maybe we can catch the second half in the home of Bollywood - Mumbai.
loving your wonderful site, congratulations, justin, it's quite a work of art and also enyoying your commentaries
you'll never settle again after this epic voyage-what could possibly compare in the humbrum of the working life?
p.s. i'm sure you will, though!
love kate
Justin, When you have a spare 1/2 hour can you add a "search" facility to this "Travellers diary" as I'm looking for a specific piece you wrote and trying to find it is like reading a good novel... you just can't put it down. And people here at work are asking what project I'm working on!
Keep up the tremendous work and keep ticking off those places.
Can't wait for the sights and sounds of London when you report them!
Happy Christmas and Hope you both have a fantastic New Year.
Wardy.
Thanks Kate - we strive to set higher standards everyday at squareapple. That's our promise to fans :-)
Wardy, your wish is our half-completed command. In the beginning was the word, and then the search box. Merry Christmas and a Happy 2005 to you to. We'll be trying to create that festive spirit in Udaipur with a few Brits.
London calling very soon but that will be an adventure in itself. Continuing enhanced reportage expected when we move from dial-up connections to cable!
Posted by: on December 21, 2004 01:58 PMI intended to pursue you through Rajasthan for christmas in Diu but I am stalled in Bikaner due to overbooked night buses and Vijay's hospitality so I will begin the revolution from here. First step: redistribution of wealth, specifically a surfeit of toothbrushes. Too late now, obviously but I'll carry it with me until I know there's no more chance of crossing your path. The spirit was willing! Alas my server wont let me at my hotmail at the moment, hence this intrusion. I'm sure you can delete and I will take my revenge on the evil Microsoft as soon as possible. A pleasure to travel with you and Danielle and I hope the rest of your journey is trouble free.
xxx STEVE
Danielle says ditch the forgotten toothbrush - she has acquired another - thanks anyway. Might see you in Udaipur, or England, either way a book-swap for Pilger could be on the cards. If you head to Jodhpur make sure you stay at Sanwari Guesthouse near the city police station - there's nothing quite like it.
Posted by: on December 22, 2004 10:11 PMGreat work Justin, great work.
Thanx
Wardy.
Hey Jus and Dee
Happy Christmas. Miss you. Love you.
Jeanne
