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The popular silver screen phenomenon from India , affectionately known as Bollywood, has added color and vibrancy all over Europe and beyond. The sheer glamour and glitz of the Indian film industry has swept right across various continents and in the UK more and more cinemas are getting hungrier for Bollywood films. Even in the USA it is widely believed that Bollywood has become a popular a pass time as the sweat blood and tears of American sports viewing. The sensation and impact of the industry cannot be underestimated with even non Asian movie lovers drooling at the prospect of watching saris, bikinis and the odd fight on the silver screen.
However, as well as the furor there has unfortunately come a rather more sinister and negative impact due to the rise of Bollywood especially in the UK . More and more Indian couples are finding themselves in the divorce courts not because of adultery, financial problems or injuries caused by flying plates. The reason for divorce applications is fast becoming one rather emphatic and bizarre reason: Bollywood Obsession
To make matters worse, department stores across the world have now started to sell look a like Bollywood Idol dolls of famous stars. Now this may well sound harmless fun when one sees them in the rooms of 8-14 year olds. However, the mind certainly wanders and the panic buttons are pressed when husbands are finding a mini plastic John Abrahams and Shahrukh Khans (recognised as the equivalents of Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise) in the kitchen and in the wife's jewel box. It has caused a cult following but the pitfalls of such obsessions are found spilt shamelessly in the UK courts.
The problem which is now haunting the courts may well have traditional and darker roots. The praise of silver screen idols may take the form of harmless critique. Many Barristers when tackling allegations from irate petitioners have argued that it is a weapon often used to create envy and perhaps motivation. Others find it amusing whilst others will no doubt take it as an insult. The difficulty is that more and more Asian couples are finding it hard to reconcile the love for Indian silver screen and balancing the respect for their partners. After all, it has been said by many a romantic idealist that a partner must be number one. In India , reports are rife with women arguing from the rooftops that men have being doing it for years. Many will tell tales of how their husbands sang praises of the well known actress, Madhuri Dixit right in front of their eyes whilst smashing their bangles in the kitchen. There is no doubt it seems that women are now getting their own back. Sweet revenge it may be but for many couples it has become a torture as more and more divorces are flooding through the gates.
Judges in South India , where divorce rates hardly reached recordable levels, have claimed it to be a torrent of madness as the craze and obsession filters across the continents.
It has been said that it is not just Indian cinema which has caused the drawing of swords in Asian marriages. Cinema lovers around the world have had to curb their praise of artists when in the company of spouses. The tact and strategy of glorifying performers without disturbing harmony within a relationship has been debated for years. In fact, matrimonial websites and dating services around the globe have even started to assess the level of affection an applicant has with the Indian silver screen before finding suitable candidates.
The trend is on the rise as the obsession with Bollywood reaches a new level and it has been known that more and more couples are going through a 'test' period before engaging in long term commitment. More trips to the cinema with your partner to watch as many of the Bollywood artists in action may well be a worthwhile exercise for those of a doubting disposition.
In England , divorce lawyers are starting to get to grips with it all but the Judges have taken a rather dim view.
In a recent High Court case in London a middle aged Indian stood in front of a Judge holding a plastic doll of an Indian Bollywood Idol. The doll's head was turned 90 degrees and its arms twisted quite brutally. Its appearance deserved viewing at a horror wax museum. His beleaguered lawyer stood helplessly as the furious Judge bellowed, ‘what on earth is that thing doing in my Courtoom''
The lawyer stood helplessly, his mind struggling to find a meaningful response, could respond in only one way ''Your Honour. My client's wife is in love with a Bollywood Superstar''
» left by Parker Menon from TX (2 years 277 days ago.)
Awesome! Amazing article....captures the craze of bollywood. Well written Respond to this comment
» left by Rubi from London (2 years 212 days ago.)
Very interesting indeed.... Respond to this comment
» left by Mithun from London (2 years 101 days ago.)
EXCELLENT Review, enjoyed every minute of it. Superb Read Respond to this comment
» left by dave (1 year 293 days ago.)
Good read. Although the point made seems a bit too simplistic Respond to this comment
» left by ash!! from delhi (40 days 17 hours ago.)
yes indeed!!
superb, and specially instances being quoted elegantly..
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