OK, so he's a republican, against stem cell research, and a staunch supporter of Dubya. Not exactly our cup of tea. Or chai as the case may be. But as the youngest and first non-white governor in the state of Louisiana since the Civil War, we're still proud of our fellow desi nonetheless. After running unsuccessfully in 2003, he ran and won the election for Louisiana's 1st congressional district. In a state known for being backwards and racist, Bobby J's election is one step for man, one giant leap for desis.
"Ishq ishq karna hai kar le Ishq ishq mein jee le mar le Ishq ishq hai sab se pyaara"
Wiser words have never been said. If love is the sweetest of all, then new Miami restaurant Ishq is a spoonful of sugar. Ishq is the brainchild of husband and wife Sham and Kavita Kamlani, with Kavita serving as executive chef. The fusion restaurant remains true to the flavors of India while combining elements from Persia, China, Portugal, France, the Netherlands, and England.
Some of the highlights? The Lakshmana, a cocktail of chai tea infused rum with pomegranate and mango juice, Ahi Tuna Pondicherry (encrusted with indian spices) and Bombay Baby Back Ribs (grilled with tamarind bbq sauce) with Masala Fries. Yumeroo!
A "virgin" queen from England with a beheaded mother and lecherous father. Just the fodder for a former Bollywood director.
On October 12th, famed director Shekhar Kapur brings us the the sequel to Elizabeth in Elizabeth The Golden Age. Fast-forwarding 10 years later, Kapur brings us to the middle of Elizabeth's reign as she faces threats from Spain, familial backstabbing, and an unexpected love for Sir Walter Raleigh. Interestingly enough, Kapur started his career light years away from the glitz and glamour of Tinseltown. A former account and corporate planner, the director-to-be decided to give it all up to pursue his dream of working in the entertainment industry. After directing Bollywood hits such as Masoom, Mr. India, Bandit Queen, Kapur received international recognition for Elizabeth including an Oscar nomination for Best Picture.
Lest you think this uber talented director is a one trick pony, think again. Kapur also created Virgin Comics with Richard Branson and had his hand in helping Andrew Lloyd Webber bring the musical "Bombay Dreams" come to life.
What do you get when you mix a little Bollywood sizzle with a little social critique?
One hot film festival, that's what.
For the 5th year in a row, the Independent India Festival comes to Prague from October 11-14. Founded by three like-minded individuals with a predilection for all things Bollywood, the 3-day extravaganza will feature everything from the classic 1942: Love Story to mega blockbuster Dhoom 2, as well as a tantalizing documentary about golden boy Shah Rukh Khan.
Not just a celebration of South Asian culture, this Bollywood bonanza seeks to examine the significance of Indian cinema in 60 years after independence as well as the impact of Bollywood as India emerges as a significant economic power. And when you're done with all that heady stuff, make your way over to the afterparty at PM Klub with Munich Masala.
Social commentary and song and dance? That sounds like our kind of festival.
Independent India Festival - Addicted to Bollywood, www.bollywood.cz
Just in case you can't make it to the South Asian Film Festival in the Big Apple (and because we love independent filmmakers), here are the previews.....
Outsourced
Shame
Milk & Opium
Rivaaz
Dharm
Keep your eyes and ears posted for these talented filmmakers and actors.....
Bollywood blockbusters leaving you a little drained? All spice and no substance?
The Desi Dish has a solution for you.
From October 3-9, New York will host the 2007 South Asian International Film Festival. Filmmakers desi and non-desi come together to explore various themes from the South Asian diaspora from the comedic to tragic, from Pakistan to France to the U.S.
Opening the festival is the film Loins of Punjab, the story of 5 Indian-Americans and a Jewish Indophile competing in "Desi Idol", starring none other than the legendary Shabana Azmi. Shabana is also being honored at the festival with a lifetime achievement award by SAIFF for her achievements as an actress.
The festival will also showcase over 50 other films and documentaries, including Outsourced, about you guessed it, outsouring, Rivaaz, a film about a family of prostitutes, Dosar, a Bengali film about infidelity, Shame, a documentary about Mukhtaran Maispoke, a brave Pakistani woman who out after being gang raped.
If the films leaving you feeling a little heavy, you can always lighten up with a cocktail at one of the nightly afterparties. In fact ticketholders are granted free permission.
Sounds like a hot ticket.
The South Asian Film Festival, Oct 3-9, New York. www.saiff.org
