It's a common theme in stories about children of immigrants that their
parents push them to get solid professions and not pursue art like
acting or dancing. This theme certainly isn't limited to children of
immigrants, but it's the theme that pervades this movie. Being that the
United States is a nation of immigrants, one could argue that this is as
American a story as it is an Indian one.
Sachin Bhatt is a triple threat. He sings. He dances and he acts. He's
been on stage and on screen. His first leading role in a feature film
was in The Ode (2008), the adaptation of the award-winning novel Ode to Lata,
written by Ghalib Shiraz Dhalla, which shed a light not only on the
first and second-generation experiences of South Asians but also a light
on gay experiences as well.
Bhatt's character here of Raj isn't like his first feature film
character, Ali, who had plenty of angst and heartache. Here, Raj is
almost the polar opposite. Yes, Raj has his troubles, but his
disposition is so much sunnier. Unlike Ali, Raj allows Bhatt to put his
dancing skills to the test. In fact, dance is one of Raj's passions, his
coping mechanisms and life's blood.
To read the rest of the review, click here: http://themreporter.blogspot.com/2012/02/dvd-review-bollywood-beats.html
Three Stars out of Five.
Not Rated but Recommended for General Audiences.
Running Time: 1 hr. and 53 mins.
