(just kidding).

I still recommend Namastey London, though; it deals with some familiar themes but in a surprisingly unpredictable and non-stereotypical way. Smarter than expected in both the dialogue and the story. And most of the film is set in the UK.

Out of the recent bunch, Jab We Met is apparently excellent too, especially for Kareena Kapoor’s humorous performance.

1942 is more of an old-school Bollywood flick but it is very good. It’s quite famous for being one of the more high-quality and “old fashioned” (in a positive sense) Indian films at a time when the industry had taken a considerable nosedive in terms of the standard of movies that were being released. The songs are very famous too, again more reminiscent of the 40s & 50s. No item numbers or silly lyrics there. The movie’s beautifully photographed too.

And more than enough moustache-twirling imperialists in that movie, believe me ! My memory’s slightly fuzzy but I think the main one does indeed end up impaled on the Union Jack.

Perhaps I could be one of the minor imperialists, but not the main one. Then I could be sent flying twenty feet across the room due to one punch from the hero, and wind up impalied on the Union Jack.

Also remember that the movie will also inevitably end with you getting beaten up and finally whacked by the dashing hero, although not before a couple of songs, of course.

I’m assuming you’ve seen “1942″, “Lagaan”, and “Mangal Pandey/The Rising”. Not to mention various rousing patriotic movies from the early 80s along similar themes. More moustache-twirling Brit villains in those days of course, along with more Bachchan.

Keep us regularly posted about where you happen to be, though. It would be good to be in the loop about which you stage of your itinerary you’re at, and of course it reassures us that you haven’t disappeared into the Ganges or been kidnapped & sold into some dodgy Nawab’s harem…..

Do you know what would be really cool ? If you somehow managed to get a role as an extra in a Bollywood film, like Clive James did back in the 90s (and, more recently, like….er….Baby Spice did).

Lots of white western travellers seem to get roped into “item number” Indian music videos these days. Of course, it helps if you’re a hot female model type, but I guess you could always get a part as the token dude in the background showing off his screw-the-lightbulb-pat-the-dog moves.

“Yes indeed. Muslims certainly have positive things to offer a socially fractured society, such as family values, a break from crass capitalism, saying no to binge drinking, the value of prayer even.”

I don’t agree with this, Sid. Family values, “capitalist” values, drinking are indeed cultural, but are regardless of religion in my view. I mean, they are hardly spiritual to begin with – only prayer can be attributed to religion.

My point is that I don’t believe Muslims have an edge on family or “money” values, and thus, they have little to offer on that department.

I’m sure it’s all turning to be quite an adventure for you anyway

I have a list of words so far:

Noisy
Crowded
Death-defying driving

Comprehensive enough?

write-up of your experiences

Experiences during your stay in India, I mean. Not your experience of the inevitable culture shock when you come back to the UK and step off the plane at Heathrow, bleary-eyed, to some extent feeling like you’ve just come back from a warzone and are now a worldly-wise grizzled veteran, whilst also experiencing that comforting feeling of recognition when you notice all the Asian staff working in the airport

Katy:

“Rumbold, has the Telegraph article been toned down since you posted this? Because the headline is different and I have to say that I didn’t see anything in the article that implied that Muslims aren’t entitled to lobby for a change in the law.”

Katy, it was not clear what the headline actually was. What I quoted was the link to the headline, but then the ‘headline’ just appears to be a quote. As the Telegraph’s piece was not an editorial, they didn’t specifically say that Muslims should not be allowed to lobby for Sharia law, but the fact that they gave it such prominance and resorted to generalisations indicates they did have a problem with it. As I tried to suggest with my title, this was simply a case where am individual was lobbying for changes to the law.

Sonia:

“Rumbold whilst i understand the wider point you are trying to make: let me tell you this: what is generally accepted as Sharia law on divorce is problematic for women – you might really want to look into that specifically – given the specific example used for this story.”

I agree that there are major issues with aspects of sharia law, which was why I do not want it implemented in this country.

Jai:

Perfect.

Saying talak 3 times is not intended to be 3 times in ‘quick succession’ – this is over several mediation attempts. Anyone who thinks otherwise is mistaken.