Desi boys and desi girls

The bollywood crazy are awaiting with bated breath the release of Siddharth Anand directed film 'Anjaana Anjaani'. Industry gossip indicates that Anand may have been inspired by american sitcoms including 'Friends'. Produced by Sajid Nadiadwala and Krishika Lulla, the music track for the film is by duo Vishal-Shekhar. Anand's career does not critically depend on this film's fate at the box office - he has plenty to his credit.

We remember how Anand fomented debate on the difficult topic of live-in relationships in Preity Zinta-Saif Ali Khan starer 'Salaam Namaste'.






The film became a cult favorite in urbania despite shortcomings. Anand followed up with 'Tara Rum Pum' and 'Bachna Ae Haseeno'. The latter had some groovy Vishal-Shekhar numbers and its theme - that of a commitment phobic one foot-home-one foot-abroad software tramp - was groundbreaking, though events depicted in the film barely stray from fantasy.

Dostana, Karan Johar's triangle with gay angle

It is Piggy Chops whose career may be at stake in Anjaanee. Well known Chopra's existence is acknowledged by hollywood, but we cannot remember a single major hit film in which she commands presence as the lead actress, except possibly Bhandarkar's Fashion which shared with her some of its critical acclaim. Surveys indicate a grand opening for Anjaana'jaanee abroad. Actor Ranbir Kapoor, who worked with Anand in Bachna', has gained traction with the Gen-X crowd and bollywood pundits believe that his presence will keep the box-office rocking. Vishal-Shekhar have not missed a single opportunity to endear audiences. But promos indicate that it is not certain whether Anjana's score will meet the chart busting standards of  'Salaam Namaste', 'Bachna Ae Haseeno', 'Dostana' and 'I hate Love Storys' .

Khan in KHNH

Khan and Saif in a triangle (KHNH)

Siddharth Anand and Karan Johar seem to have carved out a genre - films revolving around NRI or Gen-X  characters shot in the occident or in Australia, underscored by fusionists like VS. These films typically contain a few shots of scenic drives in convertibles, lead artists in sunglasses, pre-marital honeymoons, azure beaches, relationship issues and breakups. Not that there is anything very noveau for bollywood's audience. These films are only continuing an established trend seen in Roshan's half-hearted but stunning Lucky Ali underscored 'Kaaho Na Pyar Hai' and Farhan Akhtar's classic 'DCH' ('Dil Chaata Hai'). Both these are movies based half in India and half in picturesque Australia and Zealand and predate the current wave of Johar-Anand NRI flicks.

It is not just western culture that is being aped here, Hollywood scripts or "property" may have served as inspiration as well. Anand had seen Jeff Goldblum starrer 'Nine months' when he conceived the controversial 'Salaam Namaste'. Johar was inspired by 'Step Mom' before he summoned the cast and crew of 'We are Family'.

Still from Stepmom

We are Family: Bollywood's take on divorce

Hollywood inspires Joharwood

Still from little children

Johar's lesser-said-the-better film 'Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna' is a loose Indian adaptation of hollywood's 'Little Children' which he conceivably saw with Shah Rukh Khan in Mannat. 'Alvida's collections at box offices abroad though impressive, the film was a complete flop in India. Industry pundits suggest, the audience might not have identified with'Alvida's bizarre characters - Khan is a successful and happily married soccer player in the US, beta Bachan is an ABCD jerk and papa Bachan, a philandering father.
Johar and Anand are looking at different sides of NRI- Gen X culture. While Johar seems focused on transcendetal bonds, love triangles, extra-marital relationships and "gay angles", Anand leans on casual relationships and hip and hopping youngsters . Despite the slip shod acting, these directors need to be commended for dealing with sensitive issues.

What happens to Piggy Chops' flagging career on the big screen remains to be seen. Hopefully she is content as the queen of the small screen serving teen guna zyada danger in star littered indian surviror 'Khatron ke khiladi'.