Here are photos of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at Sunday night’s big Bollywood dinner event in Mumbai. This was the event to cap off their first day in Mumbai, and God knows they enjoy a red carpet gala. The event was organized by the British Asian Trust, an organization founded by Prince Charles. The event acted as a fundraiser for several local charities.
For the event, Kate chose to wear a British designer: Jenny Packham. I’m assuming Packham made this Indian-styled gown especially for Kate, perhaps to match her sapphire engagement ring perfectly. According to People, while it is a British design, Packham sent the garment to India so that the beading could be done authentically. The result is… okay. I get the feeling that it probably looked better in person, but in photographs, it looks sort of cheap (and you know it’s not, at all). Kate paired the gown with £2,500 earrings from Indian jeweler Amrapali.
At the event, William made a speech, which you can read here. While I side-eye some of the backhanded references to a more British colonial presence in India, I think he was just trying to make a larger statement about Britain and India’s shared history, and his family’s history with India. I’m surprised that there wasn’t a reference to Lord Mountbatten, the last viceroy of India. Lord Mountbatten was Price Philip’s father figure and a mentor/godfather figure to Prince Charles. You can see more photos from the event here.
I’m also including some additional photos of Kate in the dress by Mumbai designer Anita Dongre. A royal source told People: “She really wanted to wear a local designer at the earliest possible opportunity as a tribute to Mumbai’s wonderful design talent. This dress is a perfect way to do that.” Yes, but what about those dastardly wedges?
Photos courtesy of WENN.
whoever does her hair…. needs a raise!
She looks sooo much better with a chignon. Seriously.
I’m underwhelmed. Her style (whatever you thought of it before) is just missing a spark of… something. Something good, something bad – just give us something, for Pete’s sake, Kate! Blargh.
Underwhelming is the right word for her. The color is pretty, but it is too much. Blue earrings, blue dress, blue shawl, blue clutch (only her sandals were black). She can’t balance her look and usually goes too matchy-matchy. Also, I hated the way she wore her shawl. The dress had a long sleeves so there was no need to „cover“ the shoulders. It made the top look too busy and yes frumpy. Either wear it around the neck and let it fall behind you, or secure it around the waist and throw it over one shoulder (like a fake saari).
William is underwhelming too. When was the last time he bought some new clothes?
In that dress she reminds me of a Disney princess!
At least she didn’t have what the DM called her “Disney hair”
I don’t love the dress but she looks so much prettier with her hair up. Like 100 times prettier. I’m not crazy about the earrings. They’re sort of clunky.
She does look so much better and a bit younger with her hair up, whether its an up do, pony tail etc.. The earrings would have worked with her hair down as they are so statement that they would even have stood out under the mop.
The dress is ok, appropriate for a the Bollywood theme but the shawl and clutch were over kill a bit. The dress on its own was fine.
She tends to ruin perfectly fine and appropriate outfits and hair with terrible shoes and/or accessories.
ITA. Dress is a beautiful color, but it doesn’t stand out in style or glamour. I really don’t like these earrings and I’ve never liked the ones she wore with the red McQueen. Both are a little cheap looking.
You were right in the other thread. Matronly from the 70s. Either HM or Anne would have worn something like this.
Pretty color but matronly–sort of mother of the bride.
I think she looks better with the hair up, because at least it’s something different.
I think it needs some Royal Jewel Vault bling. I don’t care for the earrings, but for full disclosure I really don’t like clunky earrings.
I know! She could wear sapphires with that dress. Why doesn’t she use the beautiful jewelry?
Sapphires and diamonds. She should have dripped in them. I would have!!
I agree, Betty – too, too much blue. I like her in Jewel colours, but this is overdoing it. She looks so much better with her hair off her face; more polished and elegant.
I saw the picture of her whacking the cricket ball (in those ugh-ly shoes), and heard a “ding-ding-ding” in my head. I’d always thought she reminded me of someone, but couldn’t put my finger on it. After seeing that photo, especially in her sunglasses, it suddenly hit me that she Is a dead ringer for a dear friend of mine. I didn’t see it at first, because my friend is older now, and wears her hair very short at the back, but it’s still really thick and longer at the front. I dragged out an old album, and sure enough, the pictures of my friend with long hair, sunglasses and big smile…she looks more like Kate’s mother than Carol does! Talk about doppelgänger…
I think she looks older and more matronly with her hair up and that is probably why she hardly does it. You see more of her natural neck wrinkles with it and Kate likes to see herself as forever 25! LOL.,So I finally get why she avoids that hair do.
I like the dress and the beading, also like how happy she looks wearing the more casual dress and bowing to that woman.
Wills on the other hand looks like the bald Mr.Burns from Tge Simpsons. Shiny bald head and boring stale clothes.
I think she looks much better, much softer, with her hair down. And less tacky without the huge jewellery.
I think the blue dress is lovely. Glad she styled her hair in an up-do.
Co-sign. I love everything about this look–even the maniacal grin looks better.
Liked everything except the color of the earrings. Too much blue already. Gold would have worked better.
Beautiful and appropriate for the location and the events.
Ah yes. Shaping up to be such a “colorful” tour.
Anyways, she looks good. Although, how could she not? She’s worn this exact look before in different shades. Jenny Packham favors this silhouette on Kate.
That’s what I was thinking! We’ve seen this exact dress on her multiple times. It looks nice because it’s as generic as possible. What a wasted opportunity.
I’m sure Jenny has a standard silhouette for Kate and just designs around that.
I thought the blue dress was beautiful, AND she wore her hair up! A win! The other dress is nice, but would’ve been better with sandals. I don’the get what that woman has against flats. I can’t wait for coverage of Kate laying the wreath…smh. there is no excuse for her there.
The Marilyn moment at the memorial is inexcusable. Honestly, the woman is an idiot.
Hate the shawl with the blue dress, it looks much better without it. Unfortunately, the dress accentuates her bad posture. The earrings are way too clunky with this. UGH.
She looks very matronly in this outfit but also very sketetal. As was said in the previous post, the whole get-up is too match-matchy and the earrings look like cheap costume jewelry and they are too big.
I agree the Marilyn moment is inexcusable. I hope she gets raked over the coals for this. She really is idiotic making the same mistakes over and over and over and……..
SMH
Amrapali makes gorgeous jewelry. You can see it on their website, and she chose those? She lacks style completely.
Danielle, I agree on wearing flats with the other more casual dress. It would have been more on trend, a break from the wedges of doom, and far less ridiculous to play cricket (although linen blend pants of some style would have best for Royal cricket).
For example, this a similar style British dress worn with a shoe that is practical and on trend:
https://www.net-a-porter.com/us/en/product/679722/temperley_london/florrie-printed-chiffon-midi-dress
I haven’t liked anything she’s worn so far. So many of them are almost there but never quite there. This probably cost a small fortune and looks like all of the other gowns she has. she has a way of making expensive things look really cheap.
Has William gained weight? His suits are looking a bit tighter and his tux was unbuttoned in all the pics I’ve seen.
+1,000 YES
She looks lovely – wonderful dress and the makeup and hair spot on.
This. She looks great! The dress is beautiful! And her hair is lovely! I want her dress in the other photo too!
She needs to quit the open mouthed smile/laugh. The image makes me think she is braying like a donkey.
The open mouth thing is deliberate for photo ops as it makes her look engaged and animated when we know she isn’t really. She is very aware of photographers and acts for them.
I think she looks soooo fake and even deranged when she laughs like that. No one needs to see her tonsils. Jeez.
I can’t stand the maniacal laugh. It looks forced and out of step. She overdoes things I notice no matter if it works or not.
How can you determine if a laugh is “forced” from still photographs? Maybe, just maybe, it’s her natural laugh. Some people just have more expressive faces and bigger smiles. I’m not sure what you think would be more natural — do you laugh with clenched teeth or something?
And even if it is fake, that’s hardly surprising. Google “(name of celebrity) smile” and check the image results. Literally every celebrity, except maybe Johnny Depp, flashes a big grin when they’re on the red carpet or whatever. OK, they don’t necessarily have their mouth open, but that doesn’t make it any less artificial.
I quite like the outfit actually – I find it very appropriate for such an event. I am sure the beading will look better in person. It’s like wedding saris or something – they often look horrid in pictures but wonderful when you see them in motion.
I find it hilarious that Prince William, who cares so much for the British movie industry that he cannot be arsed to attend the annual BAFTA Awards (an organization of which he is President) and who have never seen a Bollywood movie, is interested in a collaboration between the two industries – something he said to the Indian actress Madhuri Dixit. He doesn’t really exhibit much self-awaress.
Madhuri Dixit, an actress, said:
“We talked about Indian movies and how they’re getting popular everywhere. The Duke said he hadn’t watched any Bollywood movies but he represents the British film industry was and interested in collaboration. [Kate] said she loves being here and the people are very welcoming this time, but she was worried she may miss her children.”
I found the quote on KateMiddletonReview.
The BAFTA president hadn’t seen ONE Indian film? Forget that, how could you live in the UK all your life, as a commoner or a royal, without being exposed to a single Indian film?! The industry makes 800-1000 films a year. Mind boggling, and really speaks to how ‘normal’ he is.
Heck, I live in Denmark and have seen a few. My introduction to Bollywood was “Devdas” some years ago at the Copenhagen Film Festival. I love how over the top it was – in the visuals, the emotions, etc. It is the complete opposite to the restrained quality of a lot of Danish cinema.
They both are appalling.
Geez I live in America and I’ve seen more Indian films than the president of the BAFTA’s. Good god.
Seriously. Not only that, but, he KNEW he was attending a Bollywood event. He should have watched a current film in PREPARATION. Ugh! I can’t with this buffoon.
I am so with you. I’ve seen some too. Mira Nair comes to mind at first and there are others. Geez even the Life of Pi would have been at least something. Better than nothing. He is an incurious dolt.
It is inexcusable not to catch a few knowing about his trip.
He is so lazy he couldn’t even watch one on the plane? Another tick mark in the “didn’t prepare at all for this tour” column.
I’m convinced that beyond the scripted speeches he’s handed, he’s just winging it as he goes along. Hence the repeatedly stupid comments. Problem is that he is no longer in a postion where winging it is going to cut it. He needs to do the prep work.
Oh no! You see? I leave a non-critical comment and come back less than an hour later to see he’s already put his foot in it (and she’s already flashed on another thread). I was trying to be nice, too.
I sometimes think I have a skewed view of how strong Indian culture is in Britain because I grew up in an area with a large Indian and Pakistani demographic. So I think what I grew up with, everyone grew up with. But y’know. It just goes to show how narrow culturally the whole upper crust is, not just the royals. Bollywood, bhangra, folkhop. Some of us even with no Indian heritage see this stuff as integral parts of our lives.
I suppose it doesn’t beggar belief that he hadn’t seen a Bollywood film prior to arranging this visit. But that he got to the reception without having rectified it? And says so OUT LOUD? That does beggar belief.
I wonder if he is one of those anti-intellectual types that love to flaunt their ignorance. He doesn’t even understand how contemptible his revelation sounded. Utterly disrespectful, utterly.
The man who couldn’t be bothered showing up for the BAFTA awards two years in a row, now represents the industry.
He couldn’t even be bothered to watch Indian themed movies like I stated that are well known.
He could have said-I’ve seen x and I know it is not strictly Bollywood but it did pique my interest and I look forward to becoming more familiar.
Simple.
I think they try to steer clear of all but the most oblique references to Mountbatten! This is wise, I would say!
I’ve done my best to be interested in the clothes but I’ve run out of steam already. Never say I didn’t try. But I can’t help it: I’ve reverted to the Sixer default of clothes are boring.
I will say: if they keep up this level of activity for the entire six days and don’t say/do something useless and outrageous, it will be the most successful six days of their public careers so far.
You missed what happened today then.
What happened today?
Check the DM. They were at an entrepeneur fair where William tried a dosa making machine- she refused to eat it which was the headline of the visit,
Then they went to a war memorial to lay a wreath- she had another wardrobe malfunction and nearly flashed her crotch at everyone.
Boob pocket dress and a Marilyn Monroe moment at the memorial.
OMG. They have to be intentionally trying to make arses of themselves, don’t they? There is no excuse for that. It’s a war memorial! If you search Cambridge daily mail the article is the first search result. The DM didn’t publish the ones that are probably really bad but I bet they’re out there.
The India Gate is literally RIGHT OUTSIDE THEIR HOTEL on the waterfront. Did none of their team members check the weather this morning and note the stiff breeze? Did no one pack any dress weights? Was there no alternate outfit that she could have worn that would not have caused her to flash half of India during a solemn ceremony?
I. JUST. CAN’T. ANYMORE.
*palms forehead*. Unbelievable.
That William couldn’t take the time to watch just one Bollywood film before going on this trainwreck of a tour, I’d say that is pretty outrageous.
not even “Bride and Prejudice” or “Slumdog Millionaire”??? Good grief….
I think “Slumdog Millionaire” and “Bride and Prejudice” would count as British films starring Indian actors, not Bollywood films.
Maybe when he said he hadn’t seen a Bollywood film, he meant Bollywood film in terms of the strictest definition of the term. Even if he is BAFTA president, I think he would be required to watch British films, not Indian films made in a specific location.
I never fancied Willy to be a pedant. I doubt he even knows what “strict definition” means. He certainly doesn’t know anything about rules.
I don’t think William is smart, but Slumdog Millionaire isn’t a Bollywood film at all. Had the movie not been directed by British director Danny Boyle or been visualized through a Western gaze, it never would have won an Oscar. I just wouldn’t classify that film as remotely Bollywood or part of the Bollywood film industry, even though the film is set in India. Amitabh Bachan, the biggest Bollywood star, refused to be in it, and criticized the film for its depiction of India as it is seen through British eyes.
@perplexed – Amitabh Bachchan is a major star but needs to shut his piehole when it comes to commenting on Indian culture and what is and isn’t the right way to depict it. (this is a man who openly stated that he made his wife – a star in her own right at the time of their marriage – give up acting because ‘who will take care of the kids?’ and then generously let her start acting again once the kids were grown, or in projects opposite him)
Also, the book Slumdog Millionaire is based on? Was written by an Indian, a government officer at that. How’s THAT for ‘seen through British eyes?!
@teacakes “Also, the book Slumdog Millionaire is based on? Was written by an Indian, a government officer at that. How’s THAT for ‘seen through British eyes?!”
That’s why I was careful to use the words “visually” and “seen” because I was talking about a cinematic adaptation, not the actual book itself. Many people often talk about how a film made often differs from a book, omits certain events from the original narrative (i.e the Harry Potter movies), or changes the ending (i.e Circle of Friends). That’s why I made sure to say visual, because I was talking about the movie, not the book. I’d be surprised if the movie was completely faithful to the book since usually that doesn’t happen.
Anyway, my point wasn’t to commend William’s intelligence or even to provide a slam on Slumdog Millionaire (although I suppose it came across that way). I just don’t see how that movie would count as a Bollywood movie. Bollywood movie implies a certain segment of the Indian film industry — the term doesn’t necessarily mean a movie starring Indian people (and it’s less likely to apply to a movie directed by Danny Boyle). Maybe I shouldn’t have brought the distinction up.
And, no, I don’t think William is smart or anything. I just don’t think Slumdog Millionaire is a Bollywood movie either. (I tend to think of a Bollywood movie as one funded by Bollywood studios. Had the movie been funded by Bollywood I really don’t think it would have won an Oscar as Best Picture).
The problem is his lack of study. He should have watched several of the known Bollywood productions but he couldn’t even come up with an Indian themed movie that had Indian actors. Or how about a few actors and commented on them. Writers? Something. A crumb? Nope.
I spoke too soon! Quelle surprise. I shall get me over to the other thread.
Don’t snooze just yet. She delivered her signature flash. Oh yes she did.
I quite like the dress even though I find the shad of blue a touch aggressive but the earrings are a major fail. Blue overload- she needed pretty diamonds with all that embroidery.
And, like Danielle, I am waiting to read about the war memorial flash.
I agree, diamond or crystal type earrings would have been great. Props though for wearing earrings from an Indian jewelry designer.
I’m sure the blue Jenny Packham was beautifully made, but it reminded me of a bridal attendant dress. The cricket dress was quite nice, but of course, the wedges of doom. Why? I think she’s not as tall as everyone thinks she is, so she is almost always in heels of some sort. She seems insecure about her appearance, and everything else for that matter, hence the ever present elevators.
Can’t wait for the wardrobe malfunction at the wreath laying ceremony to hit here. Ladies, start your engines!
She is missing a sparkle. Comes off very insecure, shy and faking her interest. She’s just physically there.
I like the colour of the dress, but found the dress itself meh. She really needs a stylist.
It had to happen – she flashed everyone at a war dead memorial. Her £1,700, no hem weights, floaty dress blew up as they were laying a wreath. She never learns does she – or is it all deliberate to keep Willy interested as you know she’s insecure about keeping his attention.
By embarrassing him? Or does he not care that they get mocked and criticized for that crap? How does that keep him interested?
Titillation. By wearing thongs or going commando its titillation.
A tailored trouser suit would have worked for the three events during the day. As long as it was high-quality with an appropriate blouse, it would have been formal enough for greeting and memorial, informal enough for the cricket event.
She’s something. Here’s a photo where she almost drops the wreath because she’s trying to hold her dress down.
http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/prince-william-duke-of-cambridge-and-catherine-duchess-of-news-photo/520426582
I know.
These shots were taken by Chris Jackson, Natasha’s BF so there is no chance of any biscuit shots being made public from him. Maybe one of the others took some.
I think it is meant to titillate Willy. If there’s video, then they add to their collection. It’s like some naughty secret they share and get off on. It also is a way to stick it to his role. If it shows contempt, he’s all for it; it’s probably a turn on.
Oh my God, I never thought of it like that. Makes so much sense. EEEWW.
Mother of the Bride. Didn’t think it was anything special.
I’m torn between loving the gown because COLOR and SHINY and thinking she stole it from a Golden Girl’s fashion retrospective.
Out of curiosity, what kind of shoes should she/ would you guys have put with the patchwork dress? I freely admit to having no show game whatsoever. I hate the wedges but am at a loss.
Well first off, if I was expected to participate in a sport on a grass field, I wouldn’t be wearing a floaty dress. I’d be in some sort of trousers or crops, and I’d have on some sneakers. It was yet another case where Kate does not dress appropriately for the situation. She looked ridiculous out there. The dress was fine for the other events, but not that one.
Those particular wedge shoes have got to be some of the most boring unattractive shoes in her closet. I like wedges, but not those. And certainly not for an athletic event.
Have we ever seen her in trousers? Not the hideous jeggings, but actual trousers? Even from before they were married, I can’t recall seeing her in anything other than skin tight jeans or dresses/skirts.
OMG it does look like the dress Blanche wore when they were in the dance-a-thon!
My bestie hated some of her now-husband’s clothes, so when they travelled she would “accidentally ” leave stuff in the hotel room. Hint, hint royal style team.
Yes Lama Bean this is totally Blanche.
She should have worn sandals with the dress but not for this event. It looks odd and out of place.
I meant the cricket playing event.
I think the blue dress is beautiful, and she looks perfectly lovely and appropriate. The other patchwork/patterned dress, I think would have looked cool with lace up oxfords (brogues?) or soft leather loafers. But reading the other comments here I’m sure there would be criticism of that too, as insufficiently formal or inappropriate or some such. I understand hate-watching as a thing (although I don’t think it’s a very healthy pastime) but I worry about the reverberating effects on other girls and women in our society, when we are so very critical of the most visible ones, particularly every minute aspect of their appearance. I have a tendency to do it in my head as well, and I think it really affects how we end up viewing people in real life too, but it takes a concerted effort to not evaluate others in such a negative, critical manner.
Just want to say I think she looks beautiful and the dress is gorgeous. Love the color.
I like it, too, although a hair darker would have been nice.
I’m in the minority I guess, because I love wedges!! I can’t walk in heels but I love the added height so wedges are perfect for me 🙂
The dress was wearing her. That shawl, which was entirely too heavy, over emphasized her poor posture and thinness. Her look improved slightly by removing that shawl. The earrings were ugly and looked cheap, even though, they weren’t.
William is an idiot. Who not only boasts about being the BAFTA president, then gleefully admits to never seeing a Bollywood movie? Who is that tone deaf and insensitive to do that? Ridiculous. Almost as bad as asking if the cricket bat he autographed would be sold? So what if it is? It’s money forms worthy cause, you git!
her collarbone and shoulder area look both sinewy and wizened. If I were on her team, I would advise her to always cover that part up.
You’re right that it always seems as if her clothes are wearing her rather than the other way around. I feel as though my 93 yo grandmother has more presence and style than Waity.
I think not referencing Lord Mountbatten was a smart thing. His *ahem* reputation for promiscuity with women, men and young boys was legendary, as was his wife’s penchant for extramarital affairs, including one with Nehru. Much has come out on his involvement in participating in and covering up a horrific paedophile ring at a boys’ school in Kincora, Ireland. Not a nice person, small wonder the IRA got him.
Yes he was a piece of work, i was watching a programme a few weeks ago about TQ’s and it spoke about her courtship with Phil. When she got involved when him her parents were allegedly not too keen on him due to the influence Mountbatten had over Phil. He schemed to match make them.
I didn’t know that and am barely familiar with him. He sounds like a disgusting person though. Best to keep him out of conversations.
Her hair looked great at the gala.
But the boob pockets today….
She likes her boob pockets. I assume the shape of them is a nod to mughul architecture? That dress is made of wool! Even lightweight ‘tropical’ wool is a terrible choice for India in spring. Also true to form, Emilia’s staff can’t get a hem right. It’s longer on the right side.
It reminds me of Hilary Clinton’s blue inaugural gown. http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/11/18/article-2063424-0EDB75B900000578-449_306x685.jpg
Geezer, Hillary looks younger than Kate in that pic.
She was 46 when that photo was taken. It was 1993 and Bill’s first term.
Even down to the open mouthed expression. Hmmm.
It’s so very obvious that William dresses on the left.
I love clothes and fashion but try very hard not to comment on Kate’s. The royal / cobalt blue is a very pretty color but the dress looks and is styled in a very mother of bride kind of way IMO. In addition, she looks swallowed up in it. Once again, it’s wearing her. She is not wearing it. It’s too matronly for her.
The Marilyn Monroe dress. We are all attracted to the things we like but her clothes have a mind-numbing sameness to them: high waist to trick the eye, similar cut and styling. It’s like the same dress or coat in different colors.
The problem could be that she is very thin so she looks gobbled up in dresses like the blue one, IDK, but she pays too much to be so poorly tricked out. She really does.
I’m sorry guys. That blue gown is perfect…….for Camilla! Seriously, look at pics of Camilla’s gowns. The style of this gown is very Mother-of-the-bide and her posture isn’t making it any better. She would have been better served wearing an Indian designer like Bibhu Mohapatra or Naeem Khan instead of going the costume route.
I was also hoping we’d see her in Naeem Khan or Bibhu Mohapatra instead of the same boring Packham/Wickstead/Burton frocks that she’s always in.
I love the dress – the color is great, and her styling is really good here. Love the hair, too.
She doesn’t know how to carry herself in gowns, the way she is wearing the shawl over the dress looks so sloppy. She really does lack style. Frumpy is right!
Yep.
How very nice of the Smithsonian to lend out Hillary Clinton’s dress from the first Clinton inaugural ball
Ohhhh….Kitty likes to scratch 🙂
Love that “mother of the bride” is the jibe du jour! She’s at an official event- she’ll be covered. Honestly, there aren’t that many silhouettes she can play with- imagine deep slits are a no-no. I love the color on her, and think the gown is lovely.
OT- I have seen films by Indian filmmakers, but no Bollywood films- any suggestions?
Devdas from 2002. I saw it at the Copenhagen Film Festival because I wanted to experience a Bollywood movie. I enjoyed it immensely even if it was a bit of a shock to my restrained Scandinavian sensibilities. Gorgeous costumes and set designs, a highly dramatic story and lots of emotion.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0238936/?ref_=nv_sr_1
Devdas 2002 makes me cringe, they have a Bengali setting but the few words of Bengali the (Hindi-speaking) actors use are so badly pronounced, it makes my soul want to shrivel up.
Aishwarya Rai actually did a Bengali film called Chokher Bali though, it’s possibly her best performance in anything ever and the Bengali is flawless (thanks to dubbing).
Chak De India (2007) might be a good start. It’s about a no-hoper girls’ hockey team, and one of the best ones I’ve ever seen. Also Neerja is a recent release which is pretty good.
But I’d suggest trying some films from South Indian filmmakers, whose ideas Bollywood often rips off frame-for-frame. Alaipayuthe (Tamil) is a particular favourite, but if you must watch a Hindi movie, it got remade as Saathiya (2002), starring Vivek Oberoi and Rani Mukherjee.
Thanks to you both! Hope to check them out in near future!
Interesting. I like Indian themed movies but there are so many Bollywood productions. Without a knowledgeable person to help, it feels intimidating to find a place to begin.
Indian culture isn’t as ubiquitous for Americans and we barely even get actors in the mainstream. The ones we know are the ones targeted for a Westernized audience. I have liked them but wouldn’t know where to start. I have seen interesting documentaries but I don’t think that qualifies.
Workshy has no excuses but for the everyday person it can seem a little overwhelming.
Another question if you have a moment and don’t mind.
Do you see a difference between Indian communities depending on where they settled outside of India?
Ours seems relatively new and not as influential yet on pop culture. There seemed to have been a push about 15 years ago but not as much anymore.
Mostly it is about poverty, technology, food, Ayurvedic medicine, clothing and the caste system. Some historical figures and minimal about colonialism.
I wondered as I followed the British posters posting on these threads.
Thanks.
I’d throw in a hybrid to help you dip a toe into the genre. Hybrid in the sense that it isn’t strictly bollywood, so it isn’t as overwhelming to the senses, but you get the general idea….LAGAAN.
ArtHistorian, may i recommend BAJIROA MASTANI to you. on the same scale as DEVDAS, if not bigger. Came out recently. Same director.
Btw, did you know that the 2002 version you watched is a remake? First bollywood version was made in 1955. The original source material is a book of the same name by sharat Chandra Chatbollywood. It’s been made in several other languages as well, but i think these are the two Bollywood biggies.
That said, there is a strain of indie indian cinema that doesn’t receive as much worldwide attention, and from that genre came a version of Devdas best described as a modern telling of the book called DEV D. That was released in 2009.
Totally agree with you LAK. Bollywood has lots to offer in terms of different styles of filmmaking, while our popular song and dance sequence films are directed by Karan Johar, Yashraj camp or Sanjay Leela Bhansali, there are some hybrid/more relatable stuff as well by directors like Anurag Kashyap, Farhan Akhtar etc. I would recommend the following for ppl interested in exploring both old and new Bollywood films;
1. Mother India
2. Pakeeza
3. Mughal e Azam
4. Guide
5. Silsila
6. Abhimaan
7. Parichay
8. Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron
9. Guddi
10. Sholay
11. Beta
13. Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander
14. Andaz Apna Apna
15. Dil Chahta Hai
16. Pk
17. My Name is Khan
18. Dhoom 1, 2 & 3
19. Don
20. Life in a metro
21. Padosan
These are just off the top of my head, surely there are many many more much better than Devdas 2012( Sanjay Leela is famous for OTT dresses, set design and emotions.)
I loved Devdas. Broke my heart
She looks lovely. The dress doesn’t look cheap to me at all.
Somebody introduce this woman to a sandal. Wedges are not everyday wear. Not even every month wear. They’re an occasional moment wear and for some reason she has glommed onto them like life itself–dear God please pry them off her feet because clearly nothing and no one else can
All about fashion and nothing about the names of the charities that money was being raised for. I mean those charities might need a spotlight. Isn’t that the reason the royals are there? Or is this going to be just one big fashion show?
I didn’t know charities were involved!
You just proved my point lol.
I love the color of that gown. The actual gown itself is nice also. I think her hair is a 10. Great job by her hair stylist.
Kate likes her cobalt blue.
I wouldn’t say that gown is at all “Bollywood inspired”. There really is nothing “Indian” about it.
I think the Bollywood reference refers to The embroidery on the dress which is Indian inspired and was completed by Indian craftspeople. I think the dress is beautiful & the material, embroidery and shawl work well in this situation
Waity and her team decided to really ramp up the pandering this time around.
From now on I’m just going to enjoy the photographs of Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge. I’m sick and tired of so many people on here picking apart every little damn thing. I think she looks beautiful, I think the dress is nice the shawl is perfect — get over yourselves. Yeah this is celeBITCHY but I’m really tired of people being so bitchy about her all the time. It’s boring, repetitive — say something nice for a change.
I thought the blue dress was really gorgeous and wearing her hair up was good. The ear-rings were youthful and different. This was the nicest I have seen her. I also got the impression that she was delighted with the way she looked.
I liked the blue dress and I would wear it (and I’m younger than Kate). Definitely one of her best gala looks IMO. I didn’t like the white and gold dress she wore last tour which I believe was Malaysia. I’m in the minority but I don’t care. 🙂
I love that colour on her. The cut is nice too. I wish she’d wear her hair up more often. It looks much more sophisticated with the added bonus of not having to watch her hide behind and fuss with it when she’s trying to “work” (tee hee)
The color is quite beautiful and I am guessing that the material moves so lightly that the dress is more impressive in person. I saw one of Diana’s dresses years ago in the exhibition that went round when she cleaned out her closet(s), and in photos it had looked a bit dull but when I saw the beauty of the silk in person and how it moved I realized what these people’s clothes are really made of. This dress does what it is supposed to do – that said, I think the earrings were a bit too big and bulbous, something more sparkly and delicate that mirrored the top of the dress would have served better (her grandmother-in-law has some socko chandelier sapphire earrings that would have been perfect). If the ensemble appears to lack something, I think the lack is in Kate herself – she doesn’t possess bone-deep glamor and the lack is imparted to her clothes.
The blue dress is really good. Too bad her posture is so horrible.
She walks and stands extrem hunched like f.e. Camilla who is way oder and suffers chronical pain.
I actually prefer the dress with the shawl. It looks much more regal. Without it, the top of the dress reminds me of a figure skater’s outfit.
The earrings are a bit much here. I bet they’d look nice with a simpler dress. I think it’s sort of useless to debate whether they look “cheap” or not, though, since these photos are not “fashion photography” and simply can’t do justice to the actual materials. Imagine a cover shoot for Vogue with proper lighting, etc. — they might well look ultra glamorous in that context.
Holy crap. She did it, she got one right!!!! Hope springs eternal.