East meets East - not the film, but Desi meets Asian

For the past few months, I thought about working on this post but never gotten around to it. The inspiration behind it is actually just amazement from my part to see Desi and Asians collaborate together whether it's through music or in films.

On top of that, with East meets East. I'm already that.
I'm a Hmong Chick who Loves Indian Cinema.
:)

I got this title from a Juggy D & Jin collaboration.
Unable to find the promotional flyer from 2005, I decided to just make that banner by downloading the fonts. But all credit goes to Juggy D & Jin.

The font gives it away with the two different types of "East"

Desi meets Asian



Juggy D is a well-known British Bhangra singer/rapper who is a part of the 2Point9 Records & Rishi Rich family (Jay Sean, Veronica, Mumzy).
Official website



Jin is a well-known Chinese-American rapper who won the BET show, 106 & Park, who eventually signed up with Ruff Ryders later. He also had a small role in the movie, 2 Fast 2 Furious, as Jimmy.
Official website


Pic taken from East meets East blog

Put them together, you get....
"Come Closer (Kohl Aaja)"



But you should know that the original Desi meets Asian were definitely Harold & Kumar :)

What I loved about the Harold & Kumar movies is that the two main leads are Desi and Asian. How many times have you heard about a movie with a Desi or Asian guy in the lead?? With big roles? Not just some sidekick.

Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle

Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay

There is going to be a third part of the trilogy - A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas. Set to release in 2010!

Okay, okay...why this post? More info please?

Most film industries feature their own "kind" in their movies. For example, the majority cast of a Hong Kong/Chinese movie would have Chinese stars. Or the majority cast of a Indian movie would have Indian stars.

So when a white person is in an Indian film, it is noticed because that person stand out, making it "exotic" looks.

I do not see that many Asians in Desi films. Nor do I see many Desi in Asian films. So I noted some down from what I could recall.

The lovely Thai actress/singer, Tata Young in Dhoom. Well, actually, technically, she wasn't in the film at all. She just sang the English version of "Dhoom Machale."

I was only able to find this still off the net...so watch the video below, couldn't find my Dhoom dvd at the moment.



Then there is the Thai-Danish actress/singer, Lena Christensen in Bombay to Bangkok alongside Shreyas Talpade! She was the main heroine and not a background person or in a supporting cast. So what if the film is filmed mostly in Thailand!




Not to forget the Hong Kong film, The Myth, which has the sexy siren, Mallika Sherawat, starring with the famous Jackie Chan. 

Watch a scene from the film



Aa Dekhen Zara. Some of the filming was done in Thailand. Watch here (embed disable). Bipasha and Neil groove to "Gazab."



Warner Brothers helped Chandni Chowk to China get an International release. Even though the film may not be the best, what I liked about the movie is that, filmed in China, Akki & Deepika wear Chinese outfits, action scenes with one of Deepika kicking ass (embed disable)



Watch the music video below




Even though in the film, Krrish, there were no Asian person or anyone wearing Asian clothes, the fight choreographer, Ching Siu-Tung, who is well-known for House of Flying Daggers and Hero helped with the action fight scenes in Krrish in Singapore.

Correction- thanks Liz! Xia Bin had a significant role in the film  



Just watch below



Well, this is all Hindi films but I actually found that one in a Telugu film that has a dance that Kamalinee wore Asian in the film, Gamyam.



Her character says it's a Chinese dance but it looks Thai to me :)



I know there's probably a lot more but these are the ones that came to my mind.

I haven't seen many Desi in Asian films or Asians wearing Desi outfits in the films. However, I spotted a few and decided to cap them since it would be hard for me to find pics online.

House of Fury is one of my all-time favorite Hong Kong films. It's just a fun film with lots of eye candy - Stephen Fung, Daniel Wu, Gillian Chung, Charlene Choi.

There's one scene from the film that has Gillian wearing Desi for a school play.

Then the villian comes and messes with Gillian and she kick ass :)

Just found out about Gillian wearing a Desi outfit too :)
She's so gorgeous,one of my fave HK actress



Well-known director/producer Johnnie Toh's film, Running on Karma



had two Desi guys fighting with each other and speaking in Hindi too! I picked up the Hindi part even without the subs :)

Perhaps Love is China's first musical in 30 - 40 years!

And guess what? Farah Khan was asked to choreograph the dances.
I spy Farah Khan in the behind-the-scenes :)

(Read this article from Time) There are a few Desi dancers in the background too.

 

Watch the above in action.
Tidbit - a lot of Hong Kong stars are singers too. The three leads sing their own parts in the musical. So what you are watching is actually Takeshi and Zhou singing their parts :)



But I do want to say I would love to have a dance-off with Allu Arjun vs Rain.
That would be awesome to see!!

For those who don't know who Rain is, he is one Korea's most beloved actor, singer, and dancer. His stage name is Bi (real name Jung Ji Hoon) but many people have called him Rain, which Bi is the Korean word for Rain. He has even made his Hollywood debut in the movie, Speed Racer and has the lead role in Ninja Assassin.

To me, Allu Arjun is the best dancer cause he brings sexy back and even makes a slow song sexy (and I'm a huge fangirl). Rain is considered Korea's best dancer and a damn good singer and actor too.

I found this awesome Fanmade video of Rain's dancing!



Then came across this Fanmade video of Hrithik Roshan vs Rain danceoff. Interesting :)



I just thought all of this was interesting and wanted to share.
Sorry if I bored anyone!