3 Idiots

Just saw 3 Idiots, Aamir Khan's latest blockbuster. Loved it. Best Bollywood movie we've seen in a long time. Hilarious and heartfelt with a wonderful message. Aamir Khan is a genius. I rarely see a movie twice in the theater but this is another movie I'd like to see again.

Avatar

Just saw Avatar in an IMAX 3D theater. Awesome. I want to see it again but perhaps in 2D next time so that I can pay more attention to the story. Can't believe Fox spent US$450 million making and marketing the movie, but looks like the franchise will be worth it. Apparently they flew theater owners across Asia to Singapore a few months ago to see a 20min trailer to build excitement and word of mouth. People here think the movie has many elements of Bollywood (fantasy, action, adventure, and romance all rolled into one long three-hour movie) and will do extremely well in India. Felt good to see our first Hollywood movie since we started traveling in September.

Lazy Sunday (and Monday & Tuesday)

After a whirlwind four weeks of sightseeing, visiting family, shopping, attending the wedding, and tracking tigers, we’ve finally arrived back in Bombay. We’re staying with Vipin’s Briju Mama and Raj Mami and cousins Akshat and Priyanka in the suburbs, enjoying some serious downtime. Our last three days have been filled sitting on the couch in our pajamas, catching up on Bollywood movies, and eating Mamiji’s delicious cooking. Vipin hasn’t even showered in two days. So far we’ve seen Ghajini, Ek Ajab Prem Ki Gazab Kahani, Namastey London, and the classic DDLJ. Not sure how we’re going to motivate to get up off this couch.

The common thread

We've discovered a common thread that links us to people in all the places we've traveled so far. Bollywood. Yes, that's right, Bollywood. When our Dogon guide, Ibrahim, learned that we're Indian, he busted out singing "Jimmy Jimmy Jimmy, aaja" from the 1982 film Disco Dancer. Hard to believe, but true. Our video clip of Ibrahim and the original are below.

Zee TV

On our second day trekking in the High Atlas Mountains we walked by a small Berber village that only got electricity five months ago. Remarkably, many of the houses already had satellite dishes on their roofs. And what do the Berbers like to watch? Arabic news, American films, and Zee TV! Bollywood zindabad. Shah Rukh Khan in Baazigar and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai are apparently local favorites.