In our inaugural episode we discuss who we are and why we love Hindi cinema, aka. Bollywood. As well as dispelling some common misconceptions about Bollywood, we reveal some good picks for films to watch if you’re new to Bollywood and where to find them.
Show notes:
Erin lists her credentials
Matt failed to major in Bollywood in University
Shout out to The Pulp (where we first publicly exposed our respective interest in Bollywood)
First mention of Shah Rukh Khan
Mother India and Lootera
Bollywood’s global popularity
Dhoom 3, India’s The Fast and The Furious
The open secret that is Hindi cinema
Misconceptions dispelled:
Bollywood ≠ Indian Cinema
How many movies come out of Bollywood every year?
Medium, not genre
All Hindi films are not musicals
Not every movie is three hours long
The importance of marketable songs and a shout out to Will Smith
Surprising Michael Bay analogy
INTERVAL (“Gallan Goodiyaan” from Dil Dhadakne Do, note: the dance for this song is done in one 5 minute take)
Our picks for the best Hindi films for newcomers
Using iTunes and other legal ways to watch your Hindi films
So much drama
Is there anything Farhan Akhtar can’t do?
Matt lays down a fancy film studies term: “diegetic”
Erin discusses feminism (take a drink?)
Political controversies
Canadians should launch a smear campaign against Argo
Shirtless dudes, part one of an ongoing series at BIFL
Reading list:
Tejaswini Ganti’s Bollywood: A Guidebook to Popular Hindi Cinema
Kush Varia’s Bollywood: Gods, Glamour, and Gossip
Mihir Bose’s Bollywood: A History
Thanks to all our friends who encouraged us to do this!
NEXT WEEK: The biggest and brightest stars in the Bollywood galaxy!
Find us on iTunes!
Follow us on Twitter!
