OK, OK I will admit it, it doesn't take much to please me when it comes to Bollywood. I want a few colourful dance sequences, some outrageously absurd dialogue (because, alas, no one really ever speaks to their lover like that) and some bona fide movie stars and I'm happy.
So when it was announced that the real live movie stars of the film, Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, would be arriving at Marina Mall for the world premiere, you can guess what happened. I dragged my husband along and after scoping out the very long and very illogical red carpet, (part of the carpet apparently was an escalator to the cinema above) we positioned ourselves outside the doors.
Sweating, of course, but pleased with our decision since the crowds inside had began to throb with pushy people, here at least we got a chance to stand politely with our toes almost touching the red carpet. Curiously enough, there was hardly any security at all, or ropes for that matter from stopping someone from jumping onto the red carpet. Just a common agreement within the crowd to avoid toeing the line or otherwise be shouted at from the security.
What's worse was overhearing the organisers warn a mother with two young girls that they wouldn't be liable in case of a stampede.
When the stars finally showed up, a good ninety minutes late (but who's counting?), the crowd really woke up. The limo's doors stayed shut as a rag tag team of mall security, already disheveled and on high alert, walked towards the limo. Were they kidding themselves? I asked my husband as seven men linked arms and funneled the stars into the middle. They then proceeded to plow through the crowd at racing speed.
My husband quickly pulled me away from the crowd of large men who'd somehow turned into screaming teenage girls but not before a very painful step on my poor toes.
When we finally entered the mall, long after the star's cameo, the red carpet was in chaos, people were muttering to themselves and a lone men's sandal littered the floor. I couldn't help but be disappointed. I had wanted to see the stars, not star in a mob scene.
