source: Bollywood Calling

This latest film by Nagesh Kukunoor (Hyderabad Blues, Rockford) is definitely worth a watch! It is about a B-grade Hollywood actor who, dying from cancer and with his career spiraling downward, takes up an offer to act in a Bollywood movie (in Hyderabad) as a last ditch effort to resurrect his career. The entire movie focuses on how adhoc the movie-making process is in Bollywood; how the stars are revered and nobody really cares two hoots about quality and production values! For instance there is no script! The screenplay is written a few pages at a time the day before the shoot! There isn't much insider stuff in the movie, so it is watchable for non-filmi people too. Om Puri has done an excellent job! It makes you wonder if all you need is a great actor and the movie will carry itself! Nagesh Kukunoor has come a long way from his previous ventures. There still are a few flaws in the screen flow - you can see some patchy sequences in places - but a vast improvement over Hyderabad Blues! And he has to learn to use music effectively in the movie. There is almost no music in the movie except where absolutely necessary! You know how we all believe there is too much background music in Indian movies; he over-compensated for it by using too little music! The story is light-hearted and almost trivial, unlike typical Bollywood movies with a "strong social" theme; the jokes are funny but not hilarious! Maybe that's why it didn't fare well at the box office. The bottom line: It is funny and reasonably well-made. The actors all did a great job. Easy-going movie, doesn't play with your emotions a lot! Worth a watch.

Hyderabad Blues was an experimental film that got lucky, Rockford was a pathetic filmmaking exercise and Bollywood Calling is finally a bonafide movie. It has maturity, good plot lines, well-developed characters, humor and realism (though a little exaggerated at times). Even though it seems like a movie for a niche audience (people who are interested in the filmmaking aspect of movies), it's not just about that - it's a regular movie for regular audience. It's a better-made movies than most of the junk we see lately. Watch it - it's fun! BTW, Om Puri is extremely funny. I've always seen him poor and dying but this role is particularly refreshing!

Bollywood Calling is one of the most underrated comedy movies of all time. It's a satire on 80s & 90s commercial films of Bollywood. The whole movie is a laugh riot. You'll thoroughly enjoy the film. All acted well but undoubtedly Om Puri stole the show with his amazing comic timing. Navin Nischol was also amazing. Nagesh Kukunoor, the director should be celebrated more. It was showcased at the Rome Film Festival and the MAMI Film Festival. Give it a watch, you'll not be disappointed.

One of the most under rated and understated films that showcases the hypocrisy of Indian Cinema with unabashed bravery. This is a fine film that has wonderful script and has some fine actors to enact the parts. Om Puri as Subramaniam and Navin Nischol as Manu Kapoor stand out. The others have given wonderful performances too. The writing was superb, the character of Kajal portrayed by Perizaad Zorabaian was etched out beautifully. It has a modern outlook and thwarts the hypocrisy too. Damn, she was one courageous woman who did that role, perfectly well. Pat Cusick played the role of Patrick Stormaire with a poise of mockery and dignity. It's a rare case for Bollywood and a one to watch. Above the performances lies the script and yet, the acting has taken the film to a different live. Look at Om Puri shouting in typical South Indian Accent as "Balls, Balls, I want more Balls" when shooting a song sequence. There are such fine moments of splits and wonderful moments of courage too. This is added to a touch of emotion and it's all blended well into a wonderful film. The departments of cinematography, editing play a lesser role as the film in itself is a kind of spoof on the way Bollywood films are shot and some shots are so laughable that they create a hilarious feeling. This is one of the better films of Nagesh Kukunoor and I rate it as one of the finest films made on Bollywood itself. Never before was the Bollywood film making thrashed as it did happen in Bollywood Calling. It's a 4/5 for this film. If anybody wants to have some good laughs at the way films are made in Bollywood, this is certainly a competent choice.

If you're an outsider who wants to get an insight into the real Indian mindset, then Bollywood is Calling. I think the lead character was excellent. Playing the part of a B movie actor is a bit of a thankless task but I thought the white guy was tough and as believable as he could be. With some experience of Bombayites, I can say that not only was this film funny, sad, absurd, etc. - it was also realistic. Well, just about as realistic as Bollywood really is. Anyone who thinks this was over the top simply has not faced the reality of India. India IS over the top and life there is a drama. So, I don't think it was just an affectionate dig at Bollywood. If anything it was a dig at the arrogance of a white man coming to the world's most productive film industry and telling them they're ignorant and unprofessional. Well, that was just ignorant - but quite typical of westerners, in my opinion. Great movie, watch it, and maybe learn something. I'd give it a good 8/10.

I've been laughing out loud on the street today remembering this movie which I lost sleep watching last night. The funny scenes are really funny, especially maybe if like me you're just acquainted enough with Bollywood and its conventions to shriek with recognition as they are put before you. For me the real laughs started with the great Om Puri's narration of the plot of the movie he wants Pat Cusick to come to India for: family is travelling on a train--they have two sons--train attacked by dacoits, dacoits kill mother, take baby . . . I forget how it is that one brother in this family is "half American," one is Indian, then years later . . .but having recently enjoyed Waqt (family with 3 sons separated by earthquake, all think others dead, to be reunited through a combination of love rivalries and crime 20 years later) and Amar Akbar Anthony (family with 3 sons separated by crime and poverty, one son raised Christian, one raised Hindu, one raised Moslem, until 20 years later) . . . I was delighted by this Another delight -- the scene where the (not so slim) Cusick in a blue blouse and yellow harem pants, singing (="singing") a Hindi song, leads a dance with his identically-dressed 60 year old "brother" on a sloping lawn invaded by hundreds rolling Easter-egg colored balls. And for all the silliness, the movie has a heart and a message about love and human connections; the jokes about Bollywood OTT emotions give way to a showing of a more important, and related, capacity for deep feeling, glycerine tears to true tears, which ultimately reaches the embittered Cusick.

Bollywood Calling is a great introduction into Indian cinema. It's not a typical Indian movie, but its story is of the creation of a typical Bollywood potboiler. The film is enjoyable on a number of levels, and the more one knows about Indian culture, Indian movies, and filmmaking in general, the more fun it becomes.

Bollywood Calling is a ticket to get a sneak peek behind the iron walls of Bollywood. This movie unearths of what lies beneath the glossy magazines - the Jykell and Hyde effect, the newcomers struggle, the punctuality, the casting couch, the double standards and more importantly the larger than life image of super stars. As usual in all of Kukunoor's movie, the script rules the roost. Om Puri's performance is worth mentioning. Navin Nischol plays the role of ageing actor to the perfect T (reminds you of your parents favourite actor). Perizad shows definite potential. Pat Cusick is alright. There is only one song in the movie which gives the flavour of South Indian songs back in the 80's. Though Bollywood Calling is a comedy the tone is definitely dark. With corporate culture seeping in, I hope that changes all that. I watched this movie when it was first released and believed that Kukunoor deserves much more. Post Iqbal and Dor, there is sudden renewed interest for Kukonoor's movie which is a positive sign. I am happy for Kukunoor for what he has done for himself today.

A washed up American B-grade actor finds out he only has months to live and to make matters worse his career is floundering at best. When he is offered the opportunity to appear in a Bollywood film he accepts and is flown over. However the way things work in Bollywood are very different to Hollywood. This film is a gentle mocking of Bollywood productions, it looks at how an outsider would see the things that go on and the type of film making there. The plot is no more than the production of a new Bollywood film and the subplots of cancer, love and reconciliation are put to the sidelines for the most part. Instead we can a good try at a Bollywood version of The Player with all the internal antics laid bare. For the most part this is quite amusing. The main criticism of this is that it always goes for the easy targets – the ego of the big actor, the dance numbers, the shouting and OTT facial expressions. However the ultimate message that these films are entertainment and shouldn't get ahead of themselves is good. The mocking is often funny in a `smile' sort of way but it never made me laugh out loud. But as an affectionate spoof it works quite well. The cast are OK – Omi Puri is especially good value as the besieged director/producer, however all the cast are funniest when overplaying in the Bollywood film itself. Some are caricatures but most are very good. Overall it will amuse those who have seen several Bollywood films as it is quite true and many digs are spot on. However for those looking for a comedy this is probably not funny enough to satisfy.