Aishwarya Rai dancing in Bollywood movie

From time to time I end up watching Bollywood films simply because the dances are so entertaining. I have to say, though, that despite enjoying "Slumdog Millionaire" a lot as a movie that so accurately depicts the extreme poverty in India, I still missed song and dance sequences. The song Jai Ho did not really jive very well as it was towards the end and most people in the theater started to leave.

Similarly, I was disappointed by "Sarkar," a crime drama, which did not have a single song/dance. And that is when someone suggested "Singh is Kinng," a really stupid movie but it was fun to watch a Lebanese looking actress Katrina Kaif dance in the Egyptian desert. Then a friend pointed me to Aishwarya Rai dancing to the song "Nimbooda - Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam," which I am told may be impossible to translate from an Indian language but implies that "I have given you my heart." Beautiful Indian girls in gorgeous dresses.

Natalie Portman Devendra Banhart Bollywood music

When I first saw Natalie Portman in this photo wearing so much Indian jewelry and makeup, I was somewhat worried that Indians were hijacking our Hollywood stars too after stealing all our jobs.

Initially I thought it had something to do with her boyfriend being called Devendra (an Indian name) Banhart but it turns out that he is an American born to parents from Venezuela. I could not find any information if he has even visited India, but considering that Bollywood dance was recently featured on So You Think You Can Dance and there are so many Hollywood-Bollywood movies being made, it is not a surprise that Devendra and Natalie have produced this Bollywood spoof. Do not fail to notice that Devendra who once shocked everyone by wearing short-shorts of daisy-dukes in public wears a rather low rise pant in this video prodding me to comment that he really should have undergone a Brazilian bikini wax rather than giving us a peek of his pubic hair.

So You Think You Can Do Bollywood Dance

Even though I have a hard time watching a Bollywood movie -- I couldn't actually even stand The Mistress of Spices. Well, having said that it is entertaining to see Indian people jumping around in Bollywood movies. To me they remind me of cartoons that I watched as a kid except that girls are almost always voluptuous.

And our producers of reality television are so desperate that they will find any way to make their program more interesting. So the morons at “So You Think You Can Dance?” decided to ask a pair of contestants to perform the Bollywood dance. The performance is remarkable because it looks so much like those Bollywood films. I am moving to Mumbai.

Food court musical

When we watch a musical either on Broadway or in a movie and see people erupting into a song at any moment (I understand that Indians only watch musicals because all Bollywood movies are made that way), we just take it as an art form, a unique way to tell a story. What we don't expect is that to happen in real life. In fact if we are in a public place and if someone just starts to sing (even if she or he has beautiful voice) we think that person is crazy. I wouldn't be surprised if the cops even arrest that person.

Well that is exactly what happened at a mall in Los Angeles where a group of performers performed a musical in the food court but the diners had no idea what was going on. Watch this video recorded with hidden cameras to see the horror and discomfort on people's faces. Thank God these morons eventually decided to give the performers a round of applause.

Justin Timberlake in thong

The only explanation that I can come up with American women's strong reluctance to see men in thongs on the beach is that two out of three American men are either overweight or obese. In other words, the last thing you want to see a man with a potbelly hanging out at the pool in a thong.

Now does that also mean that they can't wear a Speedo? I don't see the difference. In fact, if we take the thong argument, no fat men should be allowed to go to the beach or the pool because even those horrendous swimsuits that are so popular among American men do nothing to hide the big tummies. Maybe there is something more going on.

So for those of you who are fans of Justin Timberlake and either secretly like men in naughty swimsuits or have opinions different from other American women, in the movie Love Guru, he is seen dancing around in a Speedo. No big deal for me, but well, if you enjoyed John Mayer in the Borat thong, this is tame.

What I found somewhat interesting is that this movie starring Mike Myers and Jessica Alba has a Bollywood feel to it.

Barack Obama Bollywood video

I know well enough that Bollywood (movies from India that often include meaningless dancing with dancers making hilarious moves - apparently the films are very popular even among the educated Indians, some of whom may be answering your phone calls). Here is a hilarious video of Hindi (the language spoken by most Indians) movie clips that somehow manages to introduce Senator Barack Obama. I requested an Indian friend to translate the lyrics and she says that they are neither political nor do they have much relevance to the American presidential election. I think the Hillary Clinton Sopranos spoof video is funnier. I also like the Elizabeth Kucinich interview of FLIF by Jason Jones.

Indian students dancing Bollywood style bhangra

Indian people have dancing in their genes and students from India (remember Sanjaya) have definitely brought their talents to our universities. Of course, the fact that almost all Bollywood films are essential musicals, helps in turning almost all Indians into dancers.

Now what happens when the number of students from India reaches a number that is so powerful that they can actually compete with each other? That is what has led to bhangra (a form of dance from the Punjab region of India) competitions. Watch this series of video clips about people who love the dance so much that they are willing to practice and then compete for honors within the Indian community.

The first video is about the so-called Bollywood Dance Crazies, who apart from getting good grades in school, also work to perfect their moves.

This short film reveals the secret to winning a Bollywood dance competition often held at one of the universities in the US.

And finally, as they say, the world belongs to Indians, some of just happen to live in it.

Indian students song and dance performance video

You know what I am really starting to like Indian people. I think we may not give them enough credit for what they are capable of and simply think of them as the ones to answer our phones. But it also seems that they have earned their reputation. Remember this video of an Indian movie - rather funny! Or this woman who dances to a Bollywood song? Or these actresses dressed as schoolgirls imitating Britney Spears? Or these people at an Indian wedding party. And it also appears that Indian men dance like women. Their dance moves are so interesting that there is even a Bollywood workout video.

Watch this clip below of a performance by Indian students at Tufts. If you do not like the music show in the beginning, fast forward it and head to a group of Indian girls, yet again, dancing to some Bollywood music. Pretty funny!

Indian movie clip with a funny dance

Yea, I am serious; there are actually Bollywood workout music videos. While this one does not appear to be more like a party (I am assuming that it is some kind of family gathering since there are people of all ages, though I like the part that there are more women than men). What struck me though is the intensity of the dance - if you dance with this music video, you have my permission to skip your trip to the gym today. And by the way, there are sub-titles in English though the lyrics are as meaningless as those in a reggaeton video.

And by the way if you are looking for a more genuine Indian Bollywood style dancing, check this video.

Video: super

Indian woman dance video to Bollywood song

One thing that I like about India is that dance is such an integral part of their culture. That is almost all Bollywood films are musicals with a dance number happening at regular intervals (I even found a Bollywood music workout video). I have also learned that Indian people dance at weddings and parties using Bollywood songs.

This home made video is of a woman who has a big attitude (like these Indian dancers in mini skirts) and very interesting facial expressions. So be patient as you watch the whole clip. Initially I did not know what she was wearing but with a little bit of research I learned that she is wearing what the Indians call a "choli," which is a tightly fitted blouse. She has matched it with a long flowing skirt.