Bombay Talkie (1970)

Lucia Lane, an English writer by way of the US, arrives in Bombay to watch the filming of one of her novels. She's nearing middle age, she's had several husbands, she's lonely and ... See full summary »

Director:

James Ivory

Writers:

Ruth Prawer Jhabvala (screenplay), James Ivory (screenplay)

Stars:

Shashi Kapoor, Jennifer Kendal, Zia Mohyeddin

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Shashi Kapoor	...	Vikram
Jennifer Kendal	...	Lucia Lane
Zia Mohyeddin	...	Hari
Aparna Sen	...	Mala
Utpal Dutt	...	Bose
Nadira	...	Anjana Devi
Pinchoo Kapoor	...	Swamiji
Helen	...	Heroine in Gold
Usha Iyer	...	Cabaret Singer
Ruby Mayer	...	Gopal Ma (as Sulochana)
Prayag Raj	...	Director (as Prayag Raaj)
Jalal Agha	...	Young Man
Anwar Ali	...	Young Man
Mohan Nadkarni	...	Young Man
Sukhdev	...	Man at Bar

Storyline

Lucia Lane, an English writer by way of the US, arrives in Bombay to watch the filming of one of her novels. She's nearing middle age, she's had several husbands, she's lonely and self-absorbed. Hari, a screenwriter, offers to show her around. She's interested only in the film's leading man, Vikram, younger than she, married, and building a career as a matinee idol. Lucia takes every opportunity to be near "V," making scenes in front of his wife, demanding his attentions. Hari is long-suffering, carrying Lucia's messages to V, helping her out when the affair gets out of hand. Meanwhile, V's career suffers, with unpleasant repercussions. Who will bring things to a halt?

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Plot Keywords:

filming | bombay | affair | indian pakistani | culture clash | 

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Genres:

Drama | Musical | Romance

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Certificate:

GP

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 October 1979 (Portugal)

Also Known As:

Drama sti Bombay

Filming Locations:

K. Asif Studios, Andheri, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Company Credits

Production Co:

Merchant Ivory Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

112 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Did You Know?

Crazy Credits

The film opens with the movie title shown on a carpet that is being carried across the street. The credits are then shown on billboards in different parts of town.

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Connections

Referenced in The Darjeeling Limited (2007)

User Reviews

OK movie, Great DVD Featurette

I agree with Dilip, it is an OK movie, but the DVD that I got from my library had an added feature - a half hour of dancer Helen. She is really over the top. So skip the movie and enjoy Helen!!!!! I have to give ten lines of text, so here goes. The opulent sets and costumes of the movie were a definite plus, a nice look at the modern wealthy Indian life style. While not great, the movie's plot did generate some interest. For me high lights of the Helen feature were her cabaret dance with an caged afro-wigged "wild man" and a portrayal of a drunken bar patron at the end. During the course of this half hour she dances through several world dance genres.