Skip to main content

Reply to "Taking a guided Bollywood tour of Mumbai"

After ballooning to 97 kilograms and acquiring 38 per cent body fat (thanks largely to a diet of samosas and brownies), Khan had a matter of months to lose the extra weight. Within five months he’d reduced his body fat to nine per cent.

Beautiful, enormous homes are built at lightning speed in this part of Mumbai.

Behind high walls I sneak glimpses of bustling construction sites and tangles of scaffolding. Outside one site, a sign informs the public that the property belongs to someone called Kapoor.

The Kapoors in question are also known as the first family of Bollywood. Pawar admits that residents often complain that regulations relating to noise pollution are flouted by those with the most money.

It’s time for a movie. We head to the G7 multiplex, a beautiful cinema where ceilings are covered with colourful, painted planets and where the samosas served during intervals are prepared by the same caterer who made them when the cinema opened in 1972. It’s Mumbai’s first multiplex cinema.

We take our seats and a sign flashes up reminding people not to spit inside the cinema. Next comes the national anthem, and we stand in unison as a fluttering Indian flag appears.

The film, Begum Jaan, is in Hindi so it’s difficult to work out exactly what’s going on, but in the opening scene an elderly woman saves the life of young couple by stripping naked in public and scaring off the confused attackers.

The rest of the film takes place years earlier, and revolves around the efforts of a group of prostitutes desperate to repel soldiers trying to seize control of their remote brothel prior to the partition of India.

There’s violence, explosions and sex scenes and at one point two of the leading ladies almost kiss while reclining on a hay bale. There’s probably some swearing, but it’s in Hindi so I can’t be sure. Consider looking away if you’re planning to see the film, because I can reveal that almost everyone dies.

When the credits roll, Pawar turns to me and says “well, that was dark.” And it was. But at the same time it was one of the most memorable films I’ve ever seen, thanks to a spectacular setting, wonderfully choreographed dance scenes, colourful costumes and an uplifting foot-tapping music score.

Bollywood, I’ll be back.

Tamara Hinson’s trip was sponsored by Urban Adventures, which didn’t review or approve this story.

FM
×
×
×
×
×
×