Finally a story worthy enough for Über Desi. [HT]
“Do I make you horny, baby?“
img: via HT
Just so this post does not come off an inside joke, a lil’ Über Desi history lesson for the curious minded. Unlike other blogs, forums, websites and what have you, Über Desi was the brainchild of two drunk FOBs and that is what sets us apart. Also, before we were bloggers, we tried our hands at a bunch of motley professions and hobbies, including but not restricted to effigy manufacturing and snake charming. These days, while we often discuss politics, entertainment, racial and social issues and other such serious topics and matters of utmost import, we also periodically pay homage to our humble beginnings. This is more than evident not only in our collection of banners and (shameless plug) apparel but also in our choice of quirky but humorous stories.
Here’s one such story: Jennifer Lynch to direct “Naagin – The Snake Woman”. Much opportunity for fun-making awaits after the jump. [HT]
Undeterred by the failures of their films Kis Kis Ki Kismat and Bachke Rehna Re Baba, Mallika Sherawat and her director friend Govind Menon are now working on Naagin – The Snake Woman.
The snake movie’s director is Jennifer Lynch who has helmed films like Boxing Helena (weird) and whose Surveillance (ditto).
For those unfamiliar with Jennifer Lynch, she was the writer-director of the 1993 amputation fetish, Boxing Helena, which was not only a Sundance festival nominated movie but actually won an award, the 1994 Razzie award for the Worst Director.
Another name in the movie that should interest Über Desi readers is that of Irrrrrrrrrrfan Khan a.k.a Ashoke Ganguli from “The Namesake”. It’s always great to see a talented actor pick and choose his roles.
The actress’ brother Vikram Lamba is co-producing the film along with Menon, under the banner of Split Image Pictures. The film also features Irrfan Khan.
Why Jennifer Lynch of all directors in the world? The answer lies in genetics.
Menon says about the director, “We’ve been fans of her filmmaker father David Lynch.. and her Boxing Helena is an impressive film.”
Assuming in some weird way, Menon has an amputation fetish, not that there’s anything wrong with that, the logic of picking a director because of his/her father’s reputation is so uniquely desi, it surely deserves some mention. In fact it’s so Bollywood, it gives you some semblance of an insight into the quality of most Bollywood movies – “oops, so and so is sick/died/ran away with lover, lets pull his/her kid out of kindergarten to complete the movie”.
And why a movie on ichhadaari snakes? To quote Menon:
“Why not? The west has its films on vampires, werewolves. So why can’t we make more films on ichhadaari snakes?”
Hard to argue with such logic, so we shall not.
True to her father’s name, Jennifer Lynch jumped right away into the business of writing the script for the movie.
Although the concept is his, Jennifer researched the subject and wrote the script. “In fact, there are several things she found out which I wasn’t even aware of. Like women who can’t conceive frequently visit snake temples to pray for a child,” he says.
Of course, its not clear whether “women who can’t conceive, frequently visit snake temples” or “women who can’t conceive frequently, visit snake temples” or both. Such are the vagrancies of a missing comma.
Lest our readers think we’re being condescending to the sensibilities of the makers of this movie, we’re not. We actually commend them on their dedication to the cause of prevention of cruelty to animals, especially cobras.
Menon is not perturbed about acquiring permissions from the Animal Welfare Board of India because he won’t be shooting with snakes. A special effects whiz, Robert Kurtzman, is doing the visual effects and animatronics.
Robert Kurtzman’s father was ….. I don’t know. But going by current standards for movie making, Kurtman’s father must be someone famous.
Bollywood, of course, is replete with snake lores like Nagin and Nagina, where buxom belles, comfortable in their skins (pun intended), sway to the tune of superhit Bollywood numbers and extract revenge in the form of venom and seduction. “Naagin – The Snake Woman” not only hopes the join the ranks of these illustrious classics but also crossover into Hollywood territory.
We @ Über Desi, of course, eagerly await the release of this, well, much awaited (as of yesterday) movie and will keep you updated. In fact, we sincerely hope the makers of this movie will select us to exclusively cover the Hollywood premiere of this movie. Until then, Namasssssssssssssskar.
For the sake of our readers unacquainted with the snakes business, a short FAQ on snakes and snake charming:
Q. What is an ichhadaari snake?
A. A snake that can transform itself into human form and vice versa. This interaction is restricted only between cobras and humans.
Q. How can a human transform into a snake or vice versa?
A. It’s all in the genetics, Einstein.
Q. Who is a snake charmer?
A. Anyone who makes a snake dance to their tune qualifies as a snake charmer.
Q. How do you charm a snake?
A. By playing a pungi (not related to lungi).
Q. What about cruelty to snakes?
or
Q. You snake charmers are cobracists?
A. Seriously, what would you do if you discovered Mr. Kumar next door is an ichhadaari snake? On second thoughts, don’t answer that.
Q. What are your thoughts on “Snakes on a plane”?
A. We agree with Samuel L Jackson’s wisdom. We’re also tired of these [expletive] snakes on our [expletive] plane.
Q. Do you guys conduct snake charming classes?
A. Have you been paying attention at all? No. Some of us were just born with the snake charming gene.
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