Well, there are many reasons Bollywood is the love of millions' lives. However, for me it has to deal simply with the beauty (in two ways). Dealing more directly with the cinema itself, Indian Films have so much to offer its viewers in terms of scenery, escapism, and visual luxury. Viewers are swiftly taken to lush green medows, soared up towards the icy white peaks of the Swiss Alps, and painted canvases of brightly colored sets, with fully ornamented stages upon which the stars dazzle with their one-of-a-kind song and dance routines.
Yet another aspect to Bollywood that has captivated me, as well as millions of other men, are their beauitful actresses. My friends, these are about the most gorgeous woman you'll ever see in your life. Not to mention we get to see them bust a few moves in almost every film they decorate. I mean, the industry has two Miss Worlds (Aishwarya Rai and Priyanka Chopra) and a couple Miss Universes (Sushmita Sen and Lara Dutt) not to mention the other top models and beauty pageant runner-ups. And maybe some of them don't have it in them to act, they always seem to sell the ticket...and there's no surprise why. Honestly, part of what makes Bollywood an escapist genre is the woman themselves!
But overall, Bollywood is very diverse and a very colorful brand of cinema that surely stands class apart (not necessarily better or worse than any other film Industry in the world).
Dhoom 2 is a horrendous film!! I have no idea what such competent actors like Ash, AB Jr, and Hrithik saw in it. (You'll notice I excluded Uday from that list).
Well, if we're going by my favorite with regards to Beauty, then I'm going to have to stick with Priyanka Chopra and Aishwarya Rai the pair of Ms. Worlds. I think they are two of the most beautiful woman in the world (to this day). Ash has already proven herself as a wonderful actress (despite her recent choices in Dhoom2 ...but in films like Raincoat, Devdas, Iruvar [her debut], Chokher Bali, Umrao Jaan (2006)). Priyanka Chopra is still growing beautifully as an actress. She seems to excel when given negative shades, in films like Yakeen and Aitraaz.
I just watched Nagesh Kukanoor's Dor - I was struck by the beauty of both women leads. I am drawn to stories of strong, powerful women and Gul Panag and Ayesha Takia were just that. Simple clothes, beautifully shot landscapes, a real dialogue and a great story. The women owned the movie - truly "beautiful".
Hi Geetanjali, I completely agree with you. I personally feel Gul Panag's performance in Dor was last year's most over-looked performance (by far). . Gul Panag. Gul Panag is remarkably gorgeous. I'm not sure how many know this but Gul was 1999's Ms. India and very impressively placed 6th in the 1999 Miss Universe pageant. (on a side note, it's amazing how you remember the winners but forget the ones who got oh-so close).
Dor itself was a beautiful film in its rustic settings and ingeniously original story. It takes a director like Nagesh Kukunoor to be able to drag out the deep artistic creativity in people like Gul Panag who quite frankly failed deeply in films like Jurm and Dhoop and the serial Kashmeer. I really hope she gets more offers after the very thick and visible chemistry she portrayed with Ayesha Takia.
My favorite part of this film is the last scene, where Ayesha's character inevitably regains her freedom by forgiving. It is an absolutely beautiful scene in all its simplicity and grace. I very highly recommend this film. It's Nagesh Kukunoor, do I even have to say anything else...the man who brought us Rockford, Hyderbad Blues (1 was much better than 2), 3 Deewarein (A MASTERPIECE and his best work), Iqbal, and now Dor.
I'd place Dor in the best film category of 06 along with some fine company in Rang De Basanti, 15 Park Avenue, and Omkara.
...just another example of the unparralleled beauty that remains embedded deep within the roots of India.
I, sadly, have not seen Dor but I am a huge fan of .Gul Panag and equally impressed by Ayesha Takia. Did any of you guys see Dhoop? I heard Gul Panang was really great in it. She's quite selective and a rare actress where her beauty (as Aakash pointed out she was Miss India 1999) and her talent are on par with each other.
What else is she working on?
On another note, I am not a Nagesh fan, although I have heard great things about his last 2 films...hope to catch them soon!
Rohit...really? Not a Nagesh fan? You must watch Dor, I htink you'll change your mind. He captures the landscapes of India most beautifully. He also manages to extract wonderful performances in the film. The look is clean and most pleasing to the eye.
Check it out.
Well, I should say not a fan with the films I've seen of his. Dor's getting universal acclaim from everyone (my mom loved it too!) and I feel left out...let met add it to my "watch" queue right now actually...
(Sorry to be so late on this - I've been traveling in Europe!) Aakash, I am delighted to find someone who likes Aishwarya as an actor! I think she is highly underrated in her comedic (or at least partially comedic) roles; no one can convince me she isn't fantastic in Kandoukondain Kandoukondain (if we can go be beyond Bolly-, technically, for a second).
And as I a watching Sharmilee, let me add in that the men in Bollywood are often no less beautiful than their co-stars. While I would say that more of the women are more conventionally attactive (generally speaking), Shahrukh and Vinod Khanna and Shashi Kapoor and Aamir Khan are equally lovely.
When speaking of bolly-beauties, how could you people forget about Bipasha Basu? That woman is absolutely stunning! I have noticed a few comments about her on the internet that she is ugly. Geez, if that is what some people call ugly then I wanna be ugly like that too!
Seriously! I see a lot of Bipasha-bashing on the internet...But I agree, she is totally gorgeous! She had to be to hold her own on screen with Aishwayra!
While I think Bollywood holds some of the finest looking men(who grow on you as you watch them) I think that Aishwayra,Priyanka Chopra, and Bipasha Basu are some of the most beautiful women I have ever seen.
I enjoy Hindi cinema because the plots and stories they portray are usually relatable especially for those who do their homework and do not join the bandwagon of mass movie production. In addition, I've been told by a friend that he learned English watching Hollywood produced movies and he adviced I watch Hindi movies to do do the same.