Veer-Zaara

In last movie we had been in the most populated country in the world either by humans or bikes. This time we are in the second largest populated country in the world not by humans only, but bikes as well. However, in this movie we are discussing a more complicated issue than the previous one. This movie was discussing the conflict that started in 1947 between Pakistan and India over Kashmir territory. Moreover, this conflict was addressed as one exists between the two governments. The two peoples have nothing to do with it. In other words it was political issue more than a clash between the two nations.

Veer-Zaara is an Exception

Bollywood has totally different style film than the one in west. It is influenced by local culture. The popularity of Indian movies goes beyond India's boundaries to another Asian nations for example: Pakistan and Bangladesh. Moreover, Indian movies have fans in Gulf Countries as well like Kuwait and Emirates. I have seen a lot of Indian movies myself when I was a teenager. Most of Gulf Countries Indian movies fans are between ages 12-18 and when they grow up they start making fun of them! In gulf countries we have many idioms related to or quoted from the way that Indian movies are. For example; when we describe something so silly or unbelievable for example: we say, "You won't believe what happened to me it was an Indian movie". Or when we describe something takes too long we say "Why are you taking too much time to dress up, is it Indian movie"? So, why is Veer-Zaara is an exception movie? There are several characteristics differentiate Veer-Zaara from other Indian movies. First, usually Indian movies goal is to entertain the audience by presenting a love story mixed with action where the "good guys always win in the end". In Veer-Zaara case the cast had further goal which was brining peace between warring nations. Second, most of the time Indian movies are "too romantic" or "go too far" and "full of fairy tale". On the other hand, the story in Veer-Zaara was believable though there were many exaggerations. For example, stays at the prison for 20 years just to clear his beloved woman's name and she spends the same period keeping his dream alive. Please see the two below videos that I have chosen to show you what I meant by unbelievable actions and stories that Bollywood usually have.

Some Indian Culture Characteristics

Usually movies reflect cultures; depict places, environment and lives of people. And if we would examine Indian movies such as Veer-Zaara we will see some characteristics of India presented in the movie. For instance, singing and dancing, emotions and English are characteristics of Bollywood films. There was an English word fitted in every two lines. Some people contribute this usage to British influence on the Indian people during the coloniel era between 1858 and 1937 when the Indian region including India, Pakistan and Bangladesh was ruled by the British Crown. Let us suppose the English usage was because of the British influence. We are left with two questions there; Why don't Pakistan and Bangladesh have the same influence on them? Are pop music and contemporary western life style part of British influence? I don't thinks so. I believe British have some influence, but the biggest influence part was American culture. Indians think that America is the moddel that they should follow. Moreover, I have been told by some Indians and friends who went to India that western culture are major effect on large cities, people's life style and teenagers are trying to resemble west as much as they can.

There are 1.4 million Indians working and living in Saudi and I worked with and have Indians friends . I can see how singing and dancing are part of their culture. They listen to music at their job site, home and while they are driving. I can hear them singing all the time. So, for me it is natural to see singing and dancing play a big part of their movies. In addition, Indians show emotions and cry so often in sad situations and that was present in the movie and the real life as well. I have been told that the Indian audience is reacting with the actors crying and you can see them filled with tears whenever there is a sad scene. Watch blew video "when Bollywood cry"

Over simplifying

There were more than one occasion where cases and situations were over simplified, for example:the relationship between Pakistan and Indian peoples. The movie shows there is harmony or no hard feeling between the two peoples. Nevertheless, there is a tension between these two nations, and it cannot be denied. It is not a matter of political issue only as the movie is trying to address, but in fact it is much more.

Landscape

The movie takes place on two places a village located in the Punjab Region, India and in Lahore City, Pakistan. In India, the movie did not show the population density that India known is for because the movie takes place in a rural area where Veer was raised. Farming was its people's main activity. On the other hand, a dense city was depicted in Lahore, Pakistan. In the same time, the movie was filmed in Purana Qila which is an historical place out side New Delhi. Bollywood often usws this place because of the beauty it has.

Conclusion

In general the movie went beyond Bollywood limit and has sat a new concept of Indian movies. In this movie the cast have decided to get over the traditional stories that Bollywood has stick with for a long time though it has some exaggerations and over simplifying facts. I like the backgrounds, views and the songs. I have put Do Pal song in my favorite foreign songs enjoy the songs and have fun reading the lyrics below.

Do, pal ruka, khwaabon ka kaarvaanAur phir,chal diye, um kahaan, ham kahaan Do pal ki thi, ye dilon ki daastaanAur phir, chal diye, tum kahaan, ham kahaan Aur phir chal diye, tum kahaan, ham kahaan

Tum the ke thi koyi ujli kiranTum the ya koyi kali muskaayi thi Tum the ya tha sapnon ka tha saawanTum the ke khushiyon ki ghata chhaayi thi Tum the ke tha koyi phool khila Tum the ya mila tha mujhe naya jahaan Do pal ruka khwaabon ka kaarvaanAur phir chal diye tum kahaan ham kahaan Do pal ki thi, ye dilon ki daastaanAur phir chal diye, tum kahaan, ham kahaan Aur phir chal diye, tum kahaan, ham kahaan

Tum the aa khushboo hawaaon mein thiTum the ya rang saari dishaaon mein the Tum the ya roshni raahon mein thiTum the ya geet goonje fizaaon mein the Tum the mile ya mili thi manzilein Tum the ke tha jaadoo bhara koyi sama Do pal ruka, khwaabon ka kaarvaanAur phir chal diye, tum kahaan, ham kahaan Do pal ki thi, ye dilon ki daastaanAur phir chal diye, tum kahaan, ham kahaan Aur phir chal diye, tum kahaan, ham kahaan Aur phir chal diye, tum kahaan, ham kahaan