Shortly after joining Writco, I realized this app was created in India. By this, I was so excited (!!!), and wanted to import one of my stories from Poetizer, here. You’ll see how this relates shortly… keep reading 😉

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Okay, so some might not find this story all that interesting, and that’s okay. It’s just that I constantly relive this one wonderful memory in particular, and wish to share 🙏

It was my sophomore year of high school… 2005… I was 15 years old… (wow, so long ago already 😅)

I remember us kids were nearing a holiday break—something like that. My history class had finished all assignments and exams, so there was nothing left on the agenda that needed completing. We had a “free day.”

I was chatting with friends and checking my Motorola Razr (LOL, remember those?) for new texts like a typical teen, when my teacher said he would put a movie on for us.

The movie he chose: ✨Devdas✨

For anyone reading who is unfamiliar, Devdas is a Bollywood film—a film from India, Indian cinema.

I’m not sure why my teacher chose Devdas… doesn’t matter, haha. The movie went in, and suddenly, I was… frozen. Transported. The conversations I was having with my friends… the text messages… none of it mattered anymore in that moment, to be honest hahaha…

The music. The singing. The dancing. The wardrobe. The colors. The TALENT. The amazing, handsome, and sexy SHAH RUKH KHAN…

~ My first Bollywood film! ~

I was entranced, enamored. It felt like my heart had been set ablaze. To most fellow Westerners, I’m sure it would sound dramatic for me to say that this experience was life-altering. But truly—it was! As a basic white girl from suburban America, my mind was BLOWN. Blown, I tell you, by the beauty of this film.

That single afternoon led me down a path of consuming more Indian media, learning about Indian culture, etc. I had many Indian friends in school, so I think on some level, interest in the culture was already there—this experience just expedited things, lol. (I remember always being in awe over my friend’s intricate pant sarees. So beautiful 🌸)

Yeah, I’m just so thankful I was in school that day—that I wasn’t sick and missed or something. Like I said, life-altering, dude.

To have had that exposure, and still be enjoying this genre almost 20 years later… it’s amazing to me! Some of my favorites:

• Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna
• Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
• Jab Harry Met Sejal
• Chalte Chalte
• Kal Ho Naa Ho
• Om Shanti Om
• Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham

For my Western pals, the above titles are all available in the American Netflix catalog if you’re interested in checking them out. I am not sure about availability in other Western countries, but in the US, it’s a yes ✅ I highly recommend watching, as these films (as well as many others) were made with passion. They are beautiful and charming. May you discover the same enjoyment I did.

🙏

Brandi

(P.S. I’ve been wanting to learn Hindi for a very long time—being here has made that itch to begin lessons grow stronger, lol!!! Please, everyone: teach me ☺️ and tell me your favorite films, Bollywood or otherwise!)

💜💜💜

photo credit:
IMDb

© branypoo

#india #indiancinema #bollywood
#SRK ❤️