After directing the highly acclaimed and controversial films like 'Fire' and ‘Earth’, Deepa Mehta makes her comeback with a light hearted romantic comedy, ‘Bollywood Hollywood’. Filmed in Canada, Bollywood Hollywood pays homage to East and West conventions i.e. Bollywood songs, Hollywood choreography, a Hollywood plot and a Bollywood moral. Rahul Seth (Rahul Khanna) is a charming young millionaire who believes that his westernised upbringing allows him to rebel against his mother (Moushumi Chatterjee) and grandmother (Dina Pathak). It so happens that both these ladies have taken an instant dislike to his new Canadian, Britney Spears-like girlfriend, Kimberly (Jessica Pare). To make matters worse, she turns out to be a pop star! But for Rahul, his ‘Canadian affair’ is short lived when Kimberly dies in a freak accident. Instead of consoling the poor guy, both ladies threaten to call off his sister’s wedding unless Rahul finds himself a nice young Indian girl. So into his life enters Sue (Lisa Ray), a fiercely independent escort with whom he strikes a business deal. She is to pose as his fiancée until his sister’s impending wedding is over. Rahul trains her to be an Indian but when he actually takes her home to meet his family, he finds that she is indeed an Indian and her real name is Sunita and not Sue! More so, he finds that whoever meets Sue i.e. mum, grandma, his sister, younger brother or even the chauffeur, they all take an instant liking to her. But life soon takes an unexpected turn when Sue’s past comes to haunt her in the form of a torrid accusation. Rahul becomes torn between believing her and believing the accuser. . . . he loses her. Despite his westernised outlook, he finally realises that deep down he is a 'traditional Indian man' who struggles to accept Sue for who she is and what she represents. Can love triumph over social convention? Watch this ‘fun loving romp’ to find out. Filled with wit and humour pure Hollywood style, this film will definitely bring a smile on your face. Especially funny are the Shakespearean one liners from Rahul's head strong grandmother, the late Dina Patak. The film is a fitting tribute to the actress, who died shortly after the making of the film. Her exuberant acting talent which has entertained millions for the past decades will be greatly missed. The Canadian born, Lisa Ray who plays the female lead, has much in common with her character. Unlike her debut film, Kasoor, where she found it difficult to get to grips with the Hindi language, Lisa plays Sue with complete ease. Rahul Khanna was commendable throughout the film as the character with a western upbringing torn between eastern and western cultures. Although a few lessons to master the Canadian accent would have done him no harm. After all he was portraying an Canadian born Asian! Moushumi Chatterjee’s character as Rahul’s mother appeared rather melodramatic. Her repetitive crying and fainting spree lost its charm towards the end of the film. But Deepa Metha does surprise us with her subtle but refreshing comic moments and there are laughs to be had with Rahul’s chauffeur who is a part time drag queen. Kimberly, the Canadian Britney Spears also has her moments - levitating over the Hollywood hills for instance. There's also the matchmaking scene between real life body builder Killer Kalsa Singh and Sue; The Canadian born Indian crowd who try to be Indian; and the angry Indian girl who keeps saying ‘what a bunch of losers’ but rightly chooses to mingle with the ‘Indian’ crowd. All these scenes make up the light hearted moments of the film and it is here that Deepa Metha scores with her direction. So it comes as no surprise to learn that this movie has won the American 23rd Annual Genie Award in the original screenplay category. On the whole, Bollywood Hollywood is a film for those who like to see something different. Reviewed by Manish Gajjar, BBC Shropshire’s Mr Bollywood. | 
