Spicing up my life with Bollywood

Living in the often miserable and complex weather patterns of Chicago, I hereby testify, and, declare that, to the best of my knowledge, Bollywood, most certainly, continues to peddle my surge in fantasy and can prove to be escapism at its finest.

Instead of choosing to want to trick or treat and play dress up during the time of Halloween; I would much rather curl up under a blanket with some chai, my PJs and to want to watch Bollywood dance numbers, or, a full diversionary fare in that delivers romance, comedy, action, melodrama, songs and dance.

These movies do possess masala like qualities: spicy blends of genre which evoke an entertaining dish leaving you wanting more. This is, in fact, what makes Bollywood so compelling. Disney classics whilst do follow a similar formula, somehow, manage to fall short for me. Bollywood is more sentimental, melodramatic, and unironically exaggerated.

As of recent, Disney and Bollywood have fused in the latest film, "Khoobsoorut. " It is a wonder as to how many more of these will come our way.

Nonetheless, the presence of Bollywood in one's life can never be underestimated. It is able to fill in any void of the following: a life bereft of travel, color, costume, clothing, culture, luxury, love and feeling the part. It further serves as unique and powerful disseminator of Indian culture and values abroad. As such, instant gratification of some sort is received without much of a toll on one's pocket. I am sure Bollywood is a contributor in why so many arranged marriages are still working and alive today.

Interestingly enough is the surge in my desires to want to boost the masalas in my meals at this time of year as well; which also becomes more flavorful.  More complex in the making, but I want haleem, chicken karahi, nihari and, or, biryani. Delish. I say bring on the spice!