The 4th Idiot.

Am I am missing something? Has to be.
Everybody gets it except me. Like some memo that I have managed to miss. How else can I explain the sway that hindi movies hold over all the people I know? Every new release imported from the shores of the motherland is awaited like another Sachin century. They know the Stars, the plot, the back story.

And I? I couldn't care less. For me every new movie is another example of overacting by a bunch of aging stars who avoid looking their age like the plague.I cannot understand the fascination for all things Bollywood. There was a time when the trite song-and-dance, hero-villain junk was meant to be for the masses. People justified their cartoonish fantasy story lines as an escape for people whose daily life was a struggle for survival.

Fair enough.

But what are all my friends escaping from? Can they not handle a story which might not have a happy ending or where the protagonist has no love interest? Would they feel disoriented if an on-screen relationship was not developed in 7 minutes of lazy film making by way of a rehashed song sequence under the Golden Gate Bridge?

Speaking of songs, is it not time we put that whole song and dance routine to rest? Every movie has them. Can none of the new breed of talented directors figure out a way to keep an audience engaged without the hero bursting into song?

And what of the actors? Why is it that Mr. Amir Khan played a college student in Raang De Basanti three years ago and his new movie has him playing one again? Am I expected to suspend disbelief ( a skill that one has to master to watch Bollywood fare) and believe that this 45 year old man is supposed to be in college???? Could they find nobody else who looked the part and could pull off such a *demanding* role?

Speaking of aging gracefully, who is going to break the news to Mr. Bachchan that at 70yrs it is OK for him to look his age on the screen and that we will not think less of him if his toupee goes missing for a scene or two.

Don't get me wrong. Its not like everything out of Hollywood is Oscar-worthy. Some of the crap coming out of L.A is so vile that a song or two might actually lessen the pain while watching these gems!

The advice I get the most often goes like this: "Its mindless fun, Yaar!! Leave your brain at home and enjoy!!!"

I am not sure I can leave a vital organ behind and drive myself to a theater showing one of Bollywood's best offerings but one thing is clear as day: While "3 idiots" plays to packed houses in the bay area, I seem to be the only idiot who does not understand what the fuss is about.