Like I said there’s a new Bollywood blogger in the mix, my former boss Vishnu (who I have affectionately called “The Professor” for as far back as I can remember is a practical genius when it comes to dissecting Bollywood and its motivations. I am thrilled that he has agreed to contribute pieces from his own blog phadupicture.blogspot.com off and on to MissMalini.com!
Now that Obama has assured us that Osama is dead and the world is a safer place, it cannot be ignored that art imitates life or the other way around. Bollywood has been at the heels of a story as big as this, and fictitiously we took a look around to see how film-makers perceived a storyline of an ‘Obama-Osama’ saga, in their own inimitable way
Film : Inteqaam ki Aag
Director: Manmohan Desai
Amrit Verma (Satyen Kappu) is a honest inspector in Azad Nagar, living with his wife Durga (Nirupa Roy) and his twin boys Obama Verma (Amitabh Bachchan) and Osama Verma (Shatrughan Sinha). One day, Daku Mangal Singh (Madan Puri) kills Amrit Verma, and kidnaps Osama and flees the country to Afghanistan. Durga in the meanwhile escapes in a ship that takes her and her son Obama to the United States. In a masala plot that ensues, Obama becomes the president of the US and Osama becomes the most daring criminal in the world. Unknown that to them they are brothers, they fight each other. Only when Osama dies, does Durga reveal his true identity. Rekha as Michele Obama, Master Bittu and Iftikar (as Vice President Bidden) form the rest of the cast.
Film : Let’s Rock!
Director : Farhan Akthar
Obama (Farhan Akthar) and Osama (Arjun Rampal) are a part of a rock band in Goa, along with their friend Tony Blair (Luke Kenny) and Joe Bidden (Purab Kohli). Obama, the lead singer and the most popular member of the group wants to take his band to the United States, while Osama, the lead guitarist wants to take the band to countries where they can make a difference to the people. In the ensuing argument, the band splits and Osama moves to Afghanistan to stir a revolution with his music, while Obama and Joe start a band in the United States. Tony moves to London. When one hears of the others success, try to destroy each other with their music. Gulshan Grover plays Gilani (a music company owner in Pakistan), who causes this rift. Prachi Desai as Michele Obama and Shahana Goswami as Osama’s third wife form the rest of the cast.
Film: Bhai No.1
Director : David Dhawan
Obama Kumar (Govinda) and Osama Kumar (Chunky Pandey) are two good for nothing brothers who while away their time with their father Kumar’s (Kader Khan) money. One day their father sends them to the city to buy some machine tools for their factory. They get swindled and in the ensuing fight, Obama gets beaten and Osama loses his memory. The captured Osama gets brain washed into becoming a villain. Obama then has to save his brother from the clutches of the evil Saddam (Shakti Kapoor). Karishma Kapoor as Michele Sharma and Raj Babbar as the politician form the rest of the cast. The movie also boasts of the hit number, “ Hai Rama, Tu Obama, mein Osama”
Film : Wind
Director : Deepa Mehta
Obama (Lisa Ray) and Osama (Nandita Das) are two eunuchs who live in bylanes of Byculla. Their day beings and ends with doing the rounds, collecting money from the rich at signals, shops and weddings. A photographer George Bush (John Abraham) comes into their life, bringing a lot of cheer and laughter, but by the time they know it, the two are caught in a jealous triangle wanting George to themselves. The movie forms a touching tale of how two good friends who have to fight for their right in society are torn apart by love and become sworn enemies.