MINUS THE FLYING SQUIRRELS
©
bollywhat.com 2005
My
name is Devdas.
OK,
so it isn't really. However, it is my Indian name, and one day
it will help me to become a Bollywood director. Whether it will
help enough is another question, for as my friend reminds
me, I lack some of the characteristics one would need to enter
such a career. After all, my debating coach burst into laughter
and nearly drove into a tree when I told her that I watched
Bollywood. Who would have thought, she explained - a nice Jewish
boy going off to watch Indian films?!
Not
me. Until recently, I would not watch a non-English show even
if nothing else was on. Occasionally I wondered, What is this
Bollywood thing everyone keeps talking about?
So
how did this nice Jewish boy end up addicted to Bollywood? It
all started on a cool Saturday night. I happened to pass the
television. It happened to be tuned to a Bollywood film. The
music lured me into the room. The dance was dazzling. The costumes
were beautiful. I sat down, entranced. It was all sooo beautiful
sooo wonderful the music, the colours, the...
OK,
so the flying squirrels weren't wonderful. In fact, they were
quite a shock. My trance broken, I scanned the room. My mother
changed the channel back to her soap opera. Thank goodness that
racket's off, she muttered. Angrily as a cat thrown into a fishtank,
I slinked away. I wouldn't say that I became addicted, but when
one is not able to go a month without watching a Bollywood film,
that's usually the appropriate term.
However,
despite all that my friend says, I do NOT need help - I need
support! I need film reviews. I need posters, I need CDs, I
need DVDs! Yes, lots and lots of Bollywood DVDs!!! Life is short;
there are only 24 hours in a day which is worth eight Bollywood
films! As I said, I'm not addicted. Honest.
So
far, I've received mixed reactions about my obsession. My mother
still nags me to stop watching that nonsense . My dad still
teases me. My English teacher fears what goes on in my head.
Honestly, they are entitled to their opinion; I don't care.
I love it. I'm watching it. Besides, on the other hand, I've
made many new encouraging friends, in and out of school. One
friend asked me to give him special thanks in the credits when
I direct my first (Bollywood) film. Another felt concerned about
finding me an Indian girlfriend and name. While going to the
cinemas, I've met a lot of interesting people mostly due to
the fact that I had to go alone. I do not regret that. It is
such fun to go to a film and chat to complete strangers about
my interest and receive good recommendations.
Now,
I must go to convince my friend to watch Parineeta with me.
But does anyone know what this Hollywood thing everyone keeps
talking about is?
-
Devdas
