Indira Joshi Movies
A half-parody and half-loving tribute to the over-the-top style of Indian musicals, this song-and-dance-filled musical comedy-drama concerns Geena (Preeya Kalidas), a pretty and virtuous young women who has been raised by a loving but strictly traditional Indian family. One day, Geena happens to meet a charming and footloose visiting Englishmen named Jay (James MacAvoy), and it's love at first sight for the both of them. However, Geena's family does not approve of her dating a relative stranger, and as her brothers keep an eye on her every move, Geena is forced to meet Jay on the sly. Before long, she impulsively leaves for England with him, with her family giving chase. Along the way, the story stops periodically to give the characters the opportunity to burst into song, though along with the expected Hindi pop tunes, the characters let loose with blues, folk, and roots rock compositions. Bollywood Queen was screened in competition at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Preeya Kalidas, James McAvoy, (more)
- 2001
A combination sitcom, talk show, and improv comedy experiment, this BBC2 staple follows the exploits of an idiosyncratic Indian family living in London who turns its back garden into a soundstage and launches a chat show. Sanjeev Bhaskar leads the cast as deluded host Sanjeev Kumar, an ignorant layabout who fancies himself a suave celebrity. Fellow Goodness Gracious Me veteran Meera Syal portrays his frisky grandmother, while Indira Joshi and Vincent Ebrahim play his long-suffering parents. Each episode, two or more real-life celebrities arrive to chat with Sanjeev and field less-than-professional questions from his family; frustration and embarrassment abound on all sides. Over the numerous full seasons and specials that have aired since 2001, the Kumars have played host to Hollywood celebrities such as Minnie Driver and Patrick Stewart and more U.K.-centric stars such as Richard E. Grant and Ismail Merchant. Other memorable guests have included '60s pop singer Lulu, ex-Spice Girl Emma Bunton, and the cast of long-running British soap opera EastEnders. In addition to airing stateside on BBC America, The Kumars at No. 42 has spawned a U.K. number-one hit in the form of a comic relief single with pop star Gareth Gates. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sanjeev Bhaskar, Indira Joshi, (more)
