My Bollywood Bender

wikipedia.org

I've recently reignited my guilty pleasure in Bollywood films. As a kid growing up in Nigeria, Bollywood films were as much a staple as jollof rice. Returning to the US and the passing of decades, made those films all but wisps of estranged childhood memories...until last year.

I was returning from a business trip in Saudi Arabia, and on my flight was seated next to two Indian women. There was nothing of interest in my entertainment selections and I was wide awake at one in the morning. However the women next to me weren't only enjoying their film, but the woman to my right, had convinced her friend to her right, to take her other earpiece, get into this movie, and get out of the in-flight magazine.

They were giggling so loudly, I was compelled to sneak a peek, and began watching their subtitled movie with their permission. All three of us had a great laugh watching, what I would find out months later was, Bbuddah Hoga Terra Baap, staring the renowned Amitabh Bachchan.

I shared this with my oldest sister, a much bigger fan of Bollywood films, and promised I'd get her the name of that movie that rekindled a special part of my childhood.

Sis, here are a few more Bollywood films I've indulged in over the last couple of months:

• Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi - Shahrukh Khan
• Talaashi - Aamir Khan
• Lovesongs - Jaya Bhaduri
• Kahbi Kahbie - Amitabh Bachchan
• Mohabbatein - Amitabh Bachchan, Shahrukh Khan
• Jab Tak Hai Jaan - Shahrukh Khan

With My Vuvuzela, I Salute You Mandela

last.fm

Three years after watching on TV, Mandela lift the FIFA World Cup trophy in South Africa, I blew into my vuvuzela today for the first time. One short blast inside the house to represent his perseverance while imprisoned. One long blare outside, on my veranda into the night sky, to represent the freedom his release gave so many.