This paper is trying to “locate the East and the West in the same person”, that is, in the protagonists of two recent films: American Desi and Bollywood/Hollywood. Both were directed by NRIs (Non-Resident Indians) and are set within the Indian Diaspora of North America. Bollywood/Hollywood is a romantic comedy/parody set in Toronto, Canada, while American Desi is a college comedy set among the Indian students of a typical American college. Both films deal comically with the difficulties that arise from living in two worlds, adapting to two different sets of values and the question of identity.
First, this paper is going to lay the groundwork by defining what is meant by diasporic identity, supplying some background information on the Indian communities of Canada and the USA and giving a short synopsis for both of the films. The next chapter discusses how certain themes of Indianness, e.g. family, religion and pop culture, are depicted in the films. Then, the – assumed – diasporic identities of the main protagonists are described. Finally, the conclusion will not only summarize the findings, but also try to find parallels between the films and their characters, as well as differences that might be connected with one stemming from Canada and one from the USA.
Table of Contents
- I. Introduction
- II. Laying the Groundwork
- a. Diasporic Identity?
- b. The Indian Diaspora in Canada and the USA
- c. Film-Synopses
- III. Indian Themes in the Films
- a. Family Ties and Values
- b. Community, Customs and Religion
- c. Everyday Life and Bollywood
- IV Diasporic Identities of the Characters
- a. (Almost) Comfortable: Rahul, Twinky, Jagjit, Nina
- b. Struggling: Go, Sue, Ajay, Kris
- c. Indian at heart: Salim, Rahul's mother, Sunita's father
- V. Comparison of "Bollywood/Hollywood" and "American Desi"
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to examine the representation of Indian diasporic identity in the films "Bollywood/Hollywood" and "American Desi". Through the analysis of these films, the paper seeks to explore the complexities of navigating two cultures, adapting to different value systems, and the question of identity within the Indian diaspora in North America.
- Diasporic identity and its complexities
- The impact of Indian culture on Western societies
- The challenges of living in two worlds
- The role of family, religion, and pop culture in shaping diasporic identity
- The cultural differences and similarities between the Indian diaspora in Canada and the USA
Chapter Summaries
The paper begins by defining the term "diaspora" and exploring the various aspects of diasporic identity. It then provides background information on the Indian communities in Canada and the USA, followed by brief synopses of the two films being analyzed.
Chapter III focuses on the portrayal of Indian themes in the films, examining the depictions of family values, cultural customs, religious practices, and the influence of Bollywood on everyday life. Chapter IV analyzes the diasporic identities of the main characters, categorizing them into different groups based on their levels of integration and connection to their Indian heritage.
Keywords
The key concepts explored in this paper include diasporic identity, Indian diaspora, cultural adaptation, transnationalism, Bollywood, "American Desi," "Bollywood/Hollywood," cultural representation, and identity formation.
- Quote paper
- Susanne Opel (Author), 2007, Representations of Indian Diasporic Identity in "Bollywood/Hollywood" and "American Desi", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/74024
