Opening scene of my Bollyflick! |
After viewing, you may be so hooked, that you're wondering how you too can become Sharmila Tagore and Rajesh Khanna in your own home movie?
Well here's the essential Need to Know for how to make your own DIY Bollywood masala film:
LOCATION
It's all about the white stuff |
Switzerland is a popular holiday destinations with Indians because of this very fact; thousands of Bollywood movies have been shot there. Regardless of the storyline,dream sequence songs just seem to work well in the snow, you'll often find couples one minute in the noisy streets of Delhi and the next minute, serenading each other on a mountain top.
On a recent visit to the the Swiss Alps I encountered tour groups of Indians keen to go to the very spot their fave Hindi film songs were shot. And at the bottom of the slopes, I discovered the perfect post tour refreshments to make them feel at home:
Masala tea and samosas are the just the thing to warm you up after prancing around in the snow! |
A few months ago when the Capital was covered in snow I found my own replica Switzerland in the guise of Greenwich Park.
GLAMOROUS HEROINE
Transform into a Bollywood babe with big hair and lashings of eyeliner |
HANDSOME HERO
Velvet jackets and vintage clobber are a must for the main man |
Big pecs are a good start as the man in question will need to battle with villains, impress the leading lady with his dance moves (topless scenes are common) and be the most romantic man in the world, knowing how to organise candlelit meals in secluded spots is a compulsory skill. If the delicious John Abraham is too busy body building to hire, than you can cast a fine Englishman in the lead instead as long as he's prepared to lip sync accordingly.
DANCING & ROMANCING
Graphics in the vein of Batman, the 1960s TV series, are a welcomed addition |
ACTION
Guns are not always necessary! |
But action doesn't just mean violence, stunt work can be less intensive - all that matters is that you do it yourself!
EMOTION
pyaar, ishq....whatever you call it,lurve is always a sub plot if not main plot! |
Karan Johar is the king of emotion when it comes to Bollywood, known for his heart tugging tear jerkers, such as Kal Ho Naa Ho (my fave film), Khabi Kushi Khabie Gham and the recent My Name is Khan, a viewer is set to embark on an emotional rollercoaster from start to finish when they watch one of his masterpieces.
But my film is all about the 'L' world so pyaar, ishq..whatever you wanna call it, runs through the whole film.
SOUNDTRACK
If it gets you moving on the dancefloor than it's a winner. The appeal of a soundtrack is as important as the plot. If the tracks don't cut it with the fans, your film may flop. My film uses the delightful and sweet 'Hum Aur Tun' from 1970's action romance Daag, which my mini movie is based on.
PROPS etc
Extras? If you can't get 'em, make 'em! |
Think carefully about your props, product placement is fine, in Jaan-e-Man, there were numerous references to a malt drink called Bournvita, I was so hooked that I tracked some down in India and bought it back to the UK - a much more energising version of Chocolate Horlicks - sweeter and more addictive!
Have lots of wannabe star extras loitering around, if you can't find anyone then making them is fine too!
Finally you need a video camera and someone who can edit it all together to create the final cut. Today YouTube.....tomorrow Film City.....a girl can but dream.....
J'adore, you'll have to cast me in your next bolly filmamking, you just have to.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant!! I love the snow cats. Looks like lots of fun.
ReplyDeleteThis was so totally enjoyable to watch and to read on how you went about making it happen.
ReplyDeleteCongrates on your upcoming wedding.