An Ordinary Revelation

The word "Bollywood" triggers a certain emotion: fanfare, loud, boisterous, extremely large scale fancy shmancy smoothtalking romantic comedies. And than comes along Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi. A refreshing rom com that is dream-like in its own way, yet has none of that unreachable-ness of all the other movies of similar caliber. An ordinary man, a peppy girl.. and a love story. That doesn't seem too far-fetched. Life happens, twists come, but the simple truth beneath it all is that life is ordinary, and love still exists. You don't need a prince charming or fancy ballgowns and palaces to have a fairy tale. All it takes is some chemistry.. and love of course. That I believe is what the movie nailed down nearly perfect! Take for instance a scene that takes place in a mall store, in a fitting room: SRK asks his leading lady what it is that women want? Now, everyone wants to know that! Guys want to know because apparently women are a mystery to them. And women want to know just to know where they stand. I think the dialogue writer, story concept maker, and of course director hit the nail on the head with the reply Anushka Sharma gave: Women want someone to love them - like no one has ever loved anyone. It is quite simple - it seems like a dramatic bollywood line, but it really isn't. We all go through relationships and heartbreaks, but we keep trudging onward, we keep falling in love - sometimes hopelessly. But what makes it worth it? That incredible feeling Ms. Sharma talks of. We are human beings - and the one thing we thirst for the most is love. In all forms, in many varieties, but love nonetheless. Here is where the questioning comes in though; It is very easy for a movie maker to show a suave hero who woos his girl and sweeps her away with his charm. But what about the ordinary folks of the world, which let's face it, is pretty much everyone! SRK has played quite a different role this time around and represented the average man. Anushka Sharma, though not exactly playing an ordinary woman, is also not a drop dead gorgeous model diva - so for argument sake she can represent most women. The story really is at the basis of it how a wife falls in love with her husband. It is a hard concept to digest, but is not bound by its constraints. The situation showed might be a bit obtrusive, but the dialogues used apply rather nicely. Ponder on this - SRK's friend urges him to show his feelings for his lady love in extravagant ways just like the character of Raj. However, the response is that this ordinary man feels that if she is going to love him, she has to love the real him - the way he is, without having to be extraordinary. He has his ways of showing her he loves her - like wrestling a Japanese sumo wrestler for tickets to make her happy. The idea that he cares so much to do anything to make her happy shows his feelings - I don't agree with the fight scene - but it is a Bollywood movie after all! Of course lady love finally opens her eyes and realizes she loves the simple man with her - a happy ending is a must with Aditya Chopra! Perhaps movie makers are finally getting the idea that life is not like the movies - movies are like life! And that's the way it should be.. especially since this movie does a wonderful job of reminding and bringing hope to all the ordinary guys of the world that they too will fall in love.. and to the women of the world that their prince charming might be the simple guy right under their noses.. if only they look carefully enough!