Welcome to Bollywood, a world filled with gorgeous actors, extravagant song-and-dance sequences, over-the-top drama and happy endings. The name is a combination of Hollywood and Bombay, India (now known as Mumbai), and alludes to the booming film industry there that produces over 800 films each year. With her new film “Bride and Prejudice,” writer-producer-director Gurinder Chadha (“Bend It Like Beckham”) gives us a crash course on the genre by taking a classic Jane Austen story and re-working it with saris, songs and sexual tension.
Instead of a tale about upper and lower classes in England, Chadha’s film is a love story spanning the globe between different nationalities and cultures. Yes, this is the same old story we have seen over and over in many adaptations. There again is Will Darcy (Martin Henderson), only this time he’s an elite, arrogant American heir to a major hotel chain. Then there is Lizzy Bennett, renamed Lalita Bakshi (the stunning Aishwarya Rai, Bollywood’s reigning star and former Miss World), and the villainous bad boy Wickham (Daniel Gillies). Chadha recast Mr. Bingley as Balraj (Naveen Andrews, who currently acts in the ABC series “Lost”), Darcy’s best friend who is in love with Lalita’s sister, Jaya (Namrata Shirodkar, another Bollywood actress and former Miss India). Lastly, the comical Mr. Kholi (Nitin Ganatra), who wants a wife — any wife — steps in as Austen’s Mr. Collins.
Though they may seem an unlikely duo, Rai and Henderson work very well together in the film. Rai acts quite well in her first American film, bringing a level of sophistication to the character of Lalita that often makes Henderson seem like a novice in his role of Darcy. The two have the kind of on-screen chemistry that leaves you wondering if anything went on behind the scenes.
Visually, this film is a knockout. If you see it, do so on the big screen. The colors are intense and reminiscent of the vivid three-strip Technicolor films circa 1935-1955. By the time the setting changes from Amritsar (a small town in Punjab) to Goa (a popular Indian beach town), then to London and Santa Monica, Calif., Indian cinematographer Santosh Sivan has created a vibrant film bursting with color and energy.
The music is upbeat and lively, though those not exposed to many musicals might take some time to get used to it. Legendary Bollywood composer Anu Malik did the film’s music, with lyrics by Farhan and Zoya Akhtar. Even though the actors break out in song and dance at the slightest plot twist, the Akhtars honed the film’s songs line by line and note by note to assure that they would be integral to the unfolding story. Saroj Khan choreographed all the dance numbers and brings a contagious energy to the musical scenes.
Overall, Chadha brilliantly succeeds in infusing the East and West together in this feisty, light romantic comedy. Her film makes the case that even the most flamboyant film can be as universal as it is exotic, especially when it produces that glow of happily ever after. Infectious, “Bride and Prejudice” will bring a smile to even the purist’s lips.
