Bollywood Hollywood

A film by Deepa Mehta

$1.4 million Canadian Box Office, 5 Genie Nominations including Best Picture

My Big Fat Indian Wedding - Bruce Kirkland, Toronto Sun

"...joyous... brilliant... rapturous... Hooray for Bollywood" - Jay Stone, Ottawa Citizen

The Story: Rahul Seth (Rahul Khanna) is a dashing young millionaire who believes he is "western" enough to rebel against his mother (Moushumi Chatterjee) and grandmother (Dina Pathak). They are not too keen about his Caucasian girlfriend Kimberly (Jessica Paré) who, to make matters worse, is a pop star. Before you can say "karmic intervention," Kimberly dies in a freak accident and Rahul is devastated. Instead of allowing him to mourn in peace, Rahul's mother sees the opportunity she's been waiting for. She threatens to call off his sister's (Rishma Malik) wedding unless he finds himself a "nice Indian girl."

What to Do? Easy. Rahul enlists the services of Sue (Lisa Ray), a fiercely independent escort whom he believes to be Hispanic, and therefore not "married" to the conventions taught to young Indian women. With a wink in her eye, Sue accepts the deal to pose as his Indian bride-to-be. She needs the money and having never been a fan of the typical Indian male, she feels her heart is safe. The charade begins and this match borne out of necessity seems like it might work until...

Things Take an Unexpected Turn: Emotional chaos ensues when Sue endears herself to Rahul's family. She cracks a tough nut like his grandmother, becomes friends with his sister and younger brother and even calls the shots with his chauffeur (Ranjit Chowdhry). It seems that everyone is falling in love with Sue. Even, perhaps, Rahul.

Love is in the Air: During the course of his sister's wedding celebrations, Sue breaks through Rahul's tough exterior and helps him find his heart again. And through all this, Rahul helps Sue realize that not all Indian men are insensitive, sexist chumps. They fall in love and...

Live Happily Ever After. Well, Not Yet: Heartbreak is imminent. Rahul begins to question himself. Can he accept Sue for who she is and what she represents? Someone who is so far removed from who he finally realizes he is: a traditional Indian man. Can true love triumph over social convention? In Bollywood/Hollywood, a fun loving "romp" of a movie, the unpredictable is the only constant. After all, life isn't about what's right or wrong, it's about following your heart.

Starring Rahul Khanna, Lisa Ray, Moushumi Chatterjee, Dina Pathak, Kulbushan Kharbanda, Ranjit Chowdhry and Jessica Paré.

2002, Canada, 105 minutes. $28.95.

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Last modified February 12, 2009
Please note that all prices are in Canadian dollars. All prices are subject to change without notice.