InFilm to Watch: Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi! (2008)

Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi! (2008)

Taani Gupta is about to get married, and one of her father's favorite pupils is in attendance, the nerdy-looking and shy Surinder Sahni. The fiance and all his family crash and die on their way to the wedding, giving Taani's father a heart attack. The professor asks Surinder to marry Taani instead, so he can die in peace, and both agree to fulfill his deathbed wish. Taani vows to never love again, so she will never hurt from its loss, but Surinder can't help having feelings for the formerly bright and cheerful Taani. Will entering a local dance competition bring them closer together?

*This was a great show – I love how nerdy they made Surinder's character look, especially compared to his alter ego. The musical numbers were bright and entertaining, and I loved the romance between these two actors (the guy is also in “Swades,” and the girl is in “Band Baaja Baaraat” - both films I enjoyed). The only thing I didn't like is that they NEVER KISSED. I might watch this again.*

InFilm to Watch: Swades (2004)

Swades (2004)

Mohan is working on a satellite project for NASA in the US when overwhelming guilt and the death anniversary of his parents leads him to seek out his former nanny in India. Kaveri Amma has moved to a small village where Mohan meets up with his former childhood playmate Gita, a passionate, forward-thinking teacher in the village's school. Mohan went to India with the intent to bring Kaveri back with him, to take care of her in her old age. Meanwhile Mohan is faced with some of India's extreme poverty and the inability of its people to unite and advance as one because so many are stubbornly sticking to the caste system. He unites the villagers on a project to permanently provide them with electricity but has to return to finish the satellite project with NASA. Will Mohan return to his life of comfort or will his native land compel him to stay?

*This was more somber than most Indian films I've watched so far because it deals with deeper issues like Indian pride and the challenges that face any third-world country as it tries to further develop. Thought-provoking with great music, I'd probably watch this again.*