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From Amazon.co.uk
Bhaji on the Beach is the directorial debut of Gurinda Chadha, which--like her next film, What's Cooking--features women as the central characters and seems to involve food at every turn. It's an ensemble piece, which takes a while to establish the characters' relationships with each other. But eventually the focus of the film--based on a story by Meera Syal--gets distilled to a group of women taken on a day trip to Blackpool by a progressive thinking "sister". The skies are suitably grey as they arrive in the English resort town, with the amusement arcades, takeaways and shop fronts looking tacky and run down. There's Ginder (Kim Vithana), who has run away from her violent husband, Hashida (Sarita Khajuria), who has a major decision to make and conservative aunties Asha (Lalita Ahmed) and Pushpa (Zohra Sehgal), not to mention youngsters Ladhu (Nisha K Nayar) and Madhu (Renu Kochar) who are just along for the excitement. As the day wears on, tension mounts between the different generations as secrets come out into the open. It matters little that the plot feels a touch contrived--particularly the convergence of significant characters towards the end--as there's a lot of energy in the performances. The result is a bit rough around the edges, but there's a lot to amuse here, not least in the colourful nod to Bollywood contained in Asha's many dream sequences. --Emma Perry
Product Description
A day trip to Blackpool to see the lights, a harmless break from the routine for a mini-bus full of women from the Asian’s Women’s Centre. It all seems innocent enough but as the mini-bus trundles along to a Punjabi rendition of Cliff Richard’s “Summer Holiday” problems quickly become apparent. Ginder is fleeing her violent husband with her 5 year old son. Hashida is eighteen, about to start medical school, and has just discovered that she is pregnant by her black boyfriend. Teenage sisters Madhu and Ladhu, with no parent in sight, are on the rampage…for a man or perhaps a boy! Asha is to discover that there is life and indeed romance beyond the confines of the shop counter. And the judgemental Pushpa faces her day of reckoning when she encounters some male strippers. By the end of the day a good deal more has been illuminated than just a stick of rock and a kiss-me-quick hat!
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
I really enjoyed this film. I saw it many years ago when I was in my teens. It gives you an insight into Indian culture and in many ways its very accurate. The film takes place in Birmingham. A group of women decide to escape the daily trials of life by going on a day trip to Blackpool. You see how Indian women of various ages thought and were expected to think. Yet you also see them breaking through these barriers and trying to find themselves. It was hilarious because I noticed so many stereotypes. I give it 4 stars! If you are Indian and haven't seen it ... where have you been? And if you are not then take this chance to learn about another culture.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I wanted to watch this film as it is a bit of cultural history. I am glad I did, however the acting was terrible!!! The script was full of cultural rants, which was fascinating and seemed to be written more for the stage than the big screen. All this being said, I am still glad I own it and watched it, as this was the pre cursor to such films as East is East. It is one of the most open inter racial/cultural portrayals of it's time and certainly one of the biggest post watching conversation starting films I have seen in a long time!
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:DVD
I fell in love with Bhaji on the Beach when it was shown on the TV over 10 years ago, so purchasing it on DVD was a wise investment since I will watch it over and over again.
Directed by the same person who brought us Bend It Like Beckham, Bhaji on the Beach is this lady's most under-rated achievement and by far, her best work to date. Even on a low budget, the film captures such thought provoking issues which are still prevalent today, but it's also humourous and will appeal to all ages and cultures. You'll recognise some familiar faces who have gone to work on bigger movies since, namely Hugo Speer (Full Monty, etc)
It's also amusing to watch scenes where the actors are relying on pay-phones to communicate (can you imagine doing that these days with the popularity of mobile phones??).
I was saddened to learn that one of the leading actresses of this film died through drowning a couple of years ago...I remember reading about her in my local newspaper. I know I'll certainly not forget her with her part in this brilliant film.
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4.7 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
watch it !
Desi aunty entertainment !! worth a watch ! not a keep watch it and pass it on ! wish ending was a it better !!
Published 4 days ago by A. Vohra
4.0 out of 5 stars
fun dvd
I bought this to watch as part of a cultural study. However it turned out to be a fun dvd to watch and I will use it again even though the course has finished.
Published 25 days ago by jp
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good Read
I purchased this item as part of my University degree set materials and this is essential to complete my first module
Published 1 month ago by Mark Boyd
5.0 out of 5 stars
Indispensable!
This was required viewing for my Open University degree course , hence my title.
It really has served it's purpose!!
It really has served it's purpose!!
Published 1 month ago by Mrs. L. Evans
5.0 out of 5 stars
bhaji on the beach
A story of a Hindu family fitting into a teenage driven English community where traditional values and a youth culture demand change. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Darren
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not watched yet!
Bought for the OU, but did a different question, so I haven't got around to watching it yet. I will do.
Published 4 months ago by Miss M Lacey
3.0 out of 5 stars
might not have bought if i hadn needed to
bought as part of my uni course material.
it s ok. not my type of film but was interesting to watch for the first time.
it s ok. not my type of film but was interesting to watch for the first time.
Published 5 months ago by X_Hannah_X
4.0 out of 5 stars
For Study
Bought as a set piece for Open University AA100 as part of a arts course with a block on the seaside. Not watched it yet but from reading the case looks like I will enjoy it.
Published 6 months ago by Michelan1
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Picnic
Watched this film as part of Open University studies. It was funny in parts and less amusing in other ways. It was made by Gurinder Chudha. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Onora
5.0 out of 5 stars
oldie but goodie
if you want to see the sights of Blackpool as it used to be with asian comedy thrown in it's brilliant,summer holiday sung in indian as they go down the motorway,try to sing it if... Read more
Published on 16 May 2011 by zara
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