UNITED KINGDOM: SELFRIDGES DEPARTMENT STORE HELPS TO CELEBRATE THE "BOLLYWOOD" CULTURE OF INDIAN FILMS AND MUSIC

Record ID: 636310

  • Title: UNITED KINGDOM: SELFRIDGES DEPARTMENT STORE HELPS TO CELEBRATE THE "BOLLYWOOD" CULTURE OF INDIAN FILMS AND MUSIC
  • Date: 24th April 2002
  • Summary: LONDON, UK (MAY 02, 2002) (REUTERS) SCU (SOUNDBITE) (English) SHAHRUKH KHAN SAYING"Amitabh Buchahan is a living legend, he perhaps embodies Sean Connery, Clint Eastwood, Marlon Brando all put together for Indian cinema, that is what he embodies. I am not saying that we all look like that. I keep reading the flyers that say I am Brad Pitt. I am better looking but besides that, it is a way to say that he belongs to that era and he really is amazing he is there in Madam Tussauds also so that part of it is really nice. Aamir is of coarse one of the most meticulous and again my senior, but really the most marvelous actor to come out of our country. Aishwarya Rai, Miss World, Preity Zinta is young and upcoming, so it has a good mix also of all sought of legendary star line up plus some younger people. So it is going to be full of energy plus a lot of all things that you can look forwards too. Some of the songs are very nostalgic and really marvelous so we reenact them. "
  • Embargoed: 9th May 2002 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: LONDON, UK
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Reuters ID: LVA8WOFJOVSH75DCA5FYCP18W3HL
  • Story Text: It's going to be an Indian summer as Britain goes Bollywood crazy. The Indian film industry is the biggest in the world, and the high camp of their musical films is catching on elsewhere. Everywhere you turn in London there are bangles and bhindis, and whether it's shopping, musicals concerts or clubbing that's your thing, there's somthing going on with a Bollywood theme.
    Bollywood is big news this year - the all singing all dancing musical films are the last word in kitch cool. With the Bombay studios turing out more films than any other industry in the world, it's hardly surprising that it's begun to catch on all in all cultures.
    London department store Selfridges are so convinced of Bollywood fever that they have devoted an entire month - or 23 1/2 days to be precise - to Bollywood. As well as decking the store out in glizty Indian style and stocking some cool Indain fashions, they will be hioldin dance and music shows, film screenings and makeovers.
    Bollyood heavyweight, Amitabh Buchchan was on had to kick off the procedings at a lively launch party, which also saw the first public performance of one of the songs from Bombay Dreams, Andrew Lloyd Webber's latest project Lloyd Webber has enlisted the help of film director Shekhar Kapur, the man behind the film "Elizabeth", as well as comedian Meera Syal and legendary Bollywood soundtrack composer AR Rahman. Lloyd Webber is hoping that catching the wave of the latest trend with encourage visitors back to Lonond's theatreland. Bombay Dreams stars Raza Jaffrey and Preeya Kalidas, 21, who has never appeared on a West End stage before - and opens on June 19.
    Also in London promote a summer of Bollywood events was Shahrukh Khan, dubbed the Brad Pitt of Indian cinema. His latest film Devdas, directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali will be shown out of competition in a special screening during the Cannes Film Festival, giiving an extra boost to the Indian film industry and proving that Bollywood is being taken seriously by the rest of the film world.
    Shahrukh Khan is just one of the big name stars to be taking part in "From India With Love" an spectacular outdoor concert to be staged in Manchester and London on World Cup Final weekend.
    The three hour extravaganza will feature some of the best known songs of Indian cimena, all staged in inimitable Bollywood style. Khan will be appearing along side Amitabh Buchcan, Aamir Kahn, who is often compared to Russell Crowe, rising star Preity Zinta and former Miss World turned film star Aishwarya Rai.
    If you fancy a spot of clubbing, you can still follow the Bollywood bandwagon. Raj and Pablo's Bollywood Nights is a favourite of those in the know. Held in Kilburn once a month, the club night, hosted by the loquacious pair, known as the Bollywood It Boys mixes the best Bollywood music with the latest chart hits. And if you want to take the beat of Bollywood home, the boys have just releeased a Bollywood Nights CD.
    So it's going to be hard to miss out on the Bollywood vibe, whatever you favouritve form of entertainment, and of course, don't forget to catch the latest Bollywood blockbuster at a cinema near you.
    ---ENDS---
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