Contributor Iris Chan reports on the International Indian Film Academy Awards.
On Saturday June 25, the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards were held in Toronto, Canada – the first ever North American country to host! Bollywood (with a bit of Hollywood) descended upon the green carpet with glitz and glamour.
Bollywood superstar Anil Kapoor and Hilary Swank on the green carpet.
For such a historic affair, it’s no wonder the South Asian Canadian community excitedly came to the occasion. I strolled through the crowd and met some of the fans.
Indian star Shah Rukh Khan's wax figure, just revealed at Madame Tussauds Times Square. Photo by Alex Oliveira/startraksphoto.com, courtesy of Gitesh Pandya.
As celebrated Bollywood film star, Shah Rukh Khan (whose latest film My Name is Khan is out on DVD now), made his debut at Madame Tussauds New York Wax Museum in Times Square last week — a part of the museum’s “Bollywood Zone” which includes film legend Amitabh Bachchan — we couldn’t help but wonder, which other Asian and Asian American greats have been immortalized in wax figure by the popular tourist attraction?
Aishwarya Rai, left, with her wax figure likeness.
Seems like, not many.
After some sleuthing, we have found martial arts kings Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee at the Madame Tussauds Hollywood location and a tense-looking Tiger Woods at the Vegas location. And of course there’s Indian film legend Aishwarya Rai in the museum’s London location.
As for rest of the ladies? Fuggetabout it. The closest figurine we spotted even resembling an Asian woman was an eerie Michael Jackson figure made as part of a Jackson tribute at the Washington, D.C. museum.
The wax figure of Michelle Yeoh.
For the rest of us itching to cuddle up with wax figures of Lucy Liu or Michelle Yeoh, we’ll have to travel a bit farther — to a Hong Kong, Shanghai or soon-to-be-opened Bangkok location to get our fix. ‘Cause frankly, putting your arms around an Asian-looking Michael Jackson just doesn’t cut it.
Haven’t seen a Bollywood film yet? Where have you been? A Bollywood film is this year’s Korean drama — it’s a must-see for anyone in the know.
Well, you’re in luck. My Name is Khan is out on DVD now. (Add it to your Netflix queue!)
And excellent timing, too — the film’s star, Shah Rukh Khan (otherwise known as the king of Bollywood) — is set to reveal the ultimate homage to mainstream pop culture fame: a wax figure at Madame Tussauds. (The premiere is today at Times Square in New York!)
So what are you waiting for? I mean, My Name is Khan only set a new all-time record for the biggest opening weekend for a Bollywood film in North America. Two of Bollywood’s biggest stars, Kahn and the stunningly gorgeous Kajol, star in it. And the film is not your typical Bollywood fare: Khan plays the endearing Rizwan, a uniquely gifted man who suffers from Asperger’s Syndrome, who moves to San Francisco after his devoted mother passes away to make a happy life for himself. He meets a vivacious single mother, Mandira (Kajol), and they form a unique bond and fall in love against all odds. But when fate threatens to separate them, Rizwan decides to embark on a journey across America to win back the love of his life.
Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol in "My Name is Khan."
The Los Angeles Times called the film “a potent, energetic heart-tugger,” while The New York Times described it as “an affecting fairy tale about the perils of goodness.” And the DVD has tons of special features too, like the changing face of Bollywood, behind-the-scenes featurettes, and, of course, loads of music.
Get the DVD here.
India is having something of a moment these days. Ever since a little-known movie called Slumdog Millionaire exceeded everyone’s expectations by walking away with an Oscar for best picture, all things Indian have been spotted all over, from home decor all the way to music (cue hottie Jay Sean).
In the meantime, the organizers of the Indian Film Festival Los Angeles (IFFLA) have quietly been putting on what is arguably the largest showcase of Indian films on the West Coast. This year’s festival, held at Hollywood’s ArcLight Cinemas as always, includes an eclectic mix of films from Indian and Indian American filmmakers, with participation from other cultures in between.
Lisa Ray stars as Maya in "Cooking with Stella."
