Bollywood Hollywood (2002)

40% of critics liked it
(45 reviews)
57% of users liked it
(6,079 ratings)

After making a string of social commentaries, Canadian director Deepa Mehta satirizes India's beloved genre in the lighthearted romantic musical Bollywood/Hollywood. Indo-Canadian millionaire Rahul (Rahul Khanna) goes against the wishes of his mother and grandmother to date the Caucasian pop star… More After making a string of social commentaries, Canadian director Deepa Mehta satirizes India's beloved genre in the lighthearted romantic musical Bollywood/Hollywood. Indo-Canadian millionaire Rahul (Rahul Khanna) goes against the wishes of his mother and grandmother to date the Caucasian pop star Kimberly (Jessica Paré); however, she gets killed in an accident and he is left devastated. His mother (Moushumi Chatterjee) seizes the opportunity and announces that he must get engaged to an Indian girl before his sister is allowed to wed. This is complicated by the fact that his sister is already engaged and pregnant. Under pressure, Rahul enlists the help of Sue (supermodel Lisa Ray), a professional escort who agrees to play the part of his Indian fiancée. He thinks she is really Hispanic, and she claims to have no love for traditional Indian men. Throughout his sister's wedding preparations, Sue begins to befriend his entire family, including the tough old grandmother (Dina Pathak). After some random bursts into songs and dances, Sue reveals her true identity and they fall in love. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 45 min.
Directed By: Deepa Mehta, Deepa Mehta Saltzman
Written By: Deepa Mehta Saltzman
Genres: Drama, Romance, Musical & Performing Arts, Art House & International, Comedy

In Theaters: Sep 26, 2003 Wide
On DVD: Aug 23, 2005
Studio: Cine Bella

Critic Reviews

Robert Denerstein, Denver Rocky Mountain News
Does precisely what Bollywood movies should do: It engages us with its joyousness and silliness and its unflagging commitment to surface attractions.
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
Not authentic Bollywood, not polished enough to pass for Hollywood and not edgy enough for indie film fans.
Jane Sumner, Dallas Morning News
Though neither big nor slick, it's a joyful, feel-good spoof that makes you want to run out and rent a real Bollywood musical.
Carla Meyer, San Francisco Chronicle
A musical comedy that's mirthless and barely musical.
Nicole Arthur, Washington Post
Less a pastiche of the cinematic conventions of both 'woods than it is My Big Fat Greek Wedding in a sari.
Ann Hornaday, Washington Post
Mehta's delight with her own in-joke, as well as her attractive, energetic cast, will prove infectious to those audiences who find themselves sharing the director's frivolous frame of mind.
Marta Barber, Miami Herald
Mehta manages to make her film not only palatable, but a real pleaser.
David Noh, Film Journal International
A contrived contraption, with more than a hint of desperation in its clueless anxiousness to be an audience winner along the lines of My Big Fat Greek Wedding.
Rob Thomas, Capital Times (Madison, WI)
While the musical numbers that season "Bollywood" are brimming with color and enthusiasm, they're not exactly overflowing with technical competence.
Sean Means, Salt Lake Tribune
What starts as an examination of the common cliches of Hollywood and Bollywood ends up being condescending to both.
Laura Kelly, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
When the music stops, so does the magic. The film loses its footing with flat deliveries of dialogue from most of the cast.
Jeff Vice, Deseret News, Salt Lake City
Clearly designed to appeal to fans of both the Indian and American houses of filmmaking. Unfortunately, it's so inept that it may appeal to neither.
Cherryl Dawson and Leigh Ann Palone, TheMovieChicks.com
An escort gets paid to play the part of the rich guy's girlfriend - it's Bollywood's answer to Pretty Woman... Is Bollywood/Hollywood jolly-good fun? Almost.
Luke Y. Thompson, New Times
Bollywood/Hollywood, like this spring's slightly better cultural hodgepodge The Guru, simply offers no compelling reason to fork over your movie dollars.

Read all 14 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Aaron N

Bollywood meets Pretty Woman. In case you don't know what Bollywood is. It is the type of film made in India involving melodrama and over-the-top dance numbers. This movie thinks it is clever because it takes those themes and mixes it with a 'hollywood' plot.It's… More
Bollywood meets Pretty Woman. In case you don't know what Bollywood is. It is the type of film made in India involving melodrama and over-the-top dance numbers. This movie thinks it is clever because it takes those themes and mixes it with a 'hollywood' plot.It's not clever, it's not funny, it's not wink wink funny either. The jokes are not funny. The actors do a terrible job. The dancing is just too ridiculous. Half a star for each breast of the escort girl who, of course, has a heart of gold, and another half for Rockini.
Leo L

A good film to watch.

Cast

            Rahul Khanna as Rahul Seth

            Lisa Ray as Sue/Sunita Singh

            Moushumi Chatterjee as Mummy Ji

            Dina Pathak as Grandma Ji

            Ranjit Chowdhry as Rocky

            Kulbhushan Kharbanda as Mr. Singh

            Jessica Paré as Kimberly

            Jolly Bader as Daddy Ji

            Rishma Malik as Twinky

            Arjun Lombardi-Singh as Go/Govind

            Jazz Mann as Bobby

            Leesa Gaspari as Lucy

            Neelam Mansingh as Mrs. Singh

            Rohan Rama Bader as Young Rahul

            Akshaye Khanna as Himself

            Damon D'Oliveira as Stevie Sood

            Nick Gill as Bobby's Mom

            Larissa Gomes as Bride to Be

            Pragna Desai as Pauline

            Christina K.Y. Lee as Dancer

            Candi Barr as Dancer

            Manjit Bumrah as Bride to Be

            Angie Canuel as Dancer

            Jeremy Chow as Brian

            Sarah Connell as Dancer

            Mike Cota as Dancer

            Mike "Killer Khalsa" Deol as Killer Khalsa

            Sunny Dhillon as Dancer

            Linda Garneau as Dancer

            Caryn Green as Twinky's Friend

            Tara Hewitt as Dancer

            Nicole Innis as Nicole

            Sveta Kohli as Bride to Be

            Starsah Lauriten as Dancer

            Bhavin Lodhia as Dancer

            David López as Dancer

            Chad McFadden as Dancer

            Jodi McFadden as Dancer

            Misakiu as Dancer

            Anne Mroczkowski as Reporter

            Rupinder Nagra as Rahul's Friend at Wedding

            Kat Osen as Dancer

            Nick Peel as Dancer

            Imali Perera as Twinky's Friend

            Monisha Randhawa as Bobby's Sister

            Ronica Sajnani as Ronica

            Karamjit Singh as Ruby's Friend

            Sofanda as Dancer

            Terry D. Stevens as Veronica

            Artee Suri as Twinky's Friend

            Vinod Suri as Ruby's Friend

            Neela Tandon as Ruby's Friend

            Vincent Tong as Dancer

            Mike Tracz as Dancer

            Allana Upcraft as Dancer

            Jena Vaneslander as Dancer

            Elena Vazintaris as Dancer

            Jason Westlake as Dancer
See full cast

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Bollywood Hollywood (2002)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Aaron N

Leo L

Cast

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