If you asked me 3 weeks ago to watch a Bollywood film, I would have called you ‘paagal’ and thrown my chapal at you. Imagine my girlfriends’ surprise when I decided to make my first step into the magical world of multicoloured costumes, thrusting busts and wiggling hips. Saawariya (which means ‘beloved’) is based on Fyodor Dostoevsky’s book, ‘White Nights’, a story which I never knew existed until yesterday.

In typical Bollywood fashion this is a story follows a pair star-crossed lovers and shows their relationship unfold over a 4 night period. What drew me to this movie was that it wasn’t presented in the typical Bollywood style. Sure it had elaborate costumes and musical numbers, but the entire movie was filmed on a fantastic set that combined the cobblestones and waterways of Venice with a sprinkle of Moulin Rouge. Indian films typically shoot in huge mansions or exotic locales, where you can always catch a crowd of people watching the movie being filmed in the actual movie. I suppose the director had a lot of money to work with as this was released through Sony Pictures. The first Bollywood film to be funded by a big Hollywood Studio.

All in all a thoroughly enjoyable flick with lots of music, great acting by 2 Bollywood newbies and eye-pleasing cinematography. Also a great date movie for all you dudes out there.

4/5