Cinema Cinema Cinema Cinema Cinema Cinema Cinema Cinema Cine 98 AFRICA AND ASIA module 6 Film BRIDE AND PREJUDICE BEFORE VIEWING file 6 a. Have you ever read Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice? If you have, can you briefly say what it is about? b. What does bride mean? What is its opposite? c. In India marriages are often arranged by the families of the young couple. Do you think this is a good idea? Why/Why not? A synopsis Production: Nayar Chadha & Inside Track Written by: Gurinder Chadha & Paul Mayeda Berges Director: Gurinder Chadha Starring: Aishwarya Rai, Namrata Shirodkar, Peeya Rai Choudhuri, Meghanne Rai Choudhuri, Nadira Babbar, Anumpam Kher - the Bakshi family, Martin Henderson, Naveen Andrews, Daniel Gillies, Indira Varma, Sonali Kulkarni, Nitin Ganatra The story is based on Jane Austen s book Pride and Prejudice, written in 1813. The Bennets have a peculiar problem: their property could only be inherited by a male heir but they have five unmarried daughters and no sons. Upon Mr. Bennet s death, Mr. Collins, a family cousin, will inherit the family lands, which will leave the Bennet daughters without a home or money. It becomes vital, therefore, that at least one of the daughters marries well in order to support and house their sisters, should they not be able to marry. The book begins: It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife. The film has all the same elements as the book, but it is set in India and is a musical film, in Bollywood style. The Bakshi family live in Amritsar in northern India. Mr and Mrs Bakshi have four daughters and their mother is trying to find good husbands for them all; but her second daughter, Lalita is determined to break away from tradition and choose her own husband. Balraj Bingley and Kiran, his sister, live in England and are visiting the family on the occasion of a cousin s wedding. They have brought with them Will Darcy, a rich American friend. Mr Kohli, who lives in Los Angeles, is also visiting the family in search of a wife. After Lalita refuses him, he marries her best friend, Chandra, and they go to live in Los Angeles. Balraj falls in love with Jaya, but Darcy discourages him, saying that she is only looking for a rich husband and that he should marry an English girl, since he lives in England. At first Lalita is attracted to Wickham, but later she realises that he is not telling the truth. When the family visit London on their way to Chandra s wedding in Los Angeles, Lakhi, the youngest daughter, runs away with him. Finally, Jaya and Baljar decide to be married and Darcy proposes to Lalita, so all is well. The role of Lalita is played by the beautiful Aishwarya Rai (known as The Queen of Bollywood ). The film also features the singer Ashanti. CURIOSITY CORNER JANE AUSTEN Jane Austen (1775-1817) was born in southern England. She had six brothers and one sister and began writing stories to amuse them. Four of her books were published anonymously during her lifetime and two after her death. Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice are probably her most famous books. She is known for her acute observation of social customs and for her satirical comments. Films have been made of almost all her books.