Bollywood Primer and Gangsters in E’s Hood

Shoot Out at Lokhandwala – tagline: “based on true rumors.” Based on true rumors, huh? Indian English is an interesting variety. This is one of the hugest movies yet of the summer, and I’ve read more than one article in the Times of India reporting that this person or that person portrayed in the movie is upset because he or she says that’s not how it really went down – the story” based on true rumors.”

Although the larger suburban region that houses my hood is called Andheri, my immediate vicinity is called Lokhandwala. I think this movie is about an “encounter” with the police. An encounter is where the police get the gangster they’ve been chasing, then shoot him, and plant a gun. Encounters are apparently quite common.

And these Mumbaikers are fascinated with the gangsters of Mumbai. The most famous gangster is probably Ibrahim Dawood, and I think he has left Mumbai for Dubai. The business of these gangsters is extortion – extortion of whoever is known wealthy. These gangsters bankroll Bollywood films, and they are generally wrapped up with Bollywood. Bollywood starlets jet to Dubai with gangsters. Huge news here right now is that famous actor Sanjay Dutt is on trial for aiding in terrorist bombings in Bombay in 1993.

Some interesting bits I’ve gathered about Bollywood:

The papers are loaded with news on Bollywood stars. In the Times of India, there is a daily section called the Bombay Times, which is basically nothing but film news.
Similar to the way Jews were closed out of so many traditional occupations in the U.S., they took to the movie business, an occupation originally seen as dirty and low class; Muslims in India have taken to the movie business. Lots and lots of Muslims in Bollywood.

The actresses are supposed to stay looking good, but once a guy is famous, he can let himself go and become fat, and women still adore him, and he can still draw crowds.

Drawing crowds is what Bollywood is about. The films are usually easily accessible, not offensive, and easily enjoyed by the uneducated. They are cheesy stories about love with gratuitous dancing and singing numbers sprouting from nowhere. It’s all about packing the theaters with the masses.

Because they are such low brow entertainment for the poorer masses, this is another facet Bollywood shares with early U.S. film.

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