seriously, you couldn't make this stuff up if you tried

You know, I'd always meant to take a look at the David Dhawan/Govinda filmography, but I figured I'd do it *after* the SRK series, and *after* looking at the entire Govinda filmography.

But it had completely slipped my mind that this year represents 20 years they've been working together, through 18 films (if you count the upcoming release "Do Knot Disturb").

So I figured, it's time to seize that moment.  I've been doing some research, made a list of the films, seen who has what (and it looks like only 2 of the 18 are without subtitles, thank goodness) and today, because I'm procrastinating about a few things, I decided to poke around on the YouTubes just to get a feel for things.

I started watching "Taaqatwar", the first film they did together (yes, bad podcaster, watching illegal video, but rest assured, I will be ordering the DVD for *all* the films I don't currently own), and I can't believe that no one has actually put up a clip of the first song that Govinda appears in.

We've just been introduced to his character, John Di Mello, who seems to be a bit of a petty thief, a self-styled "ding dong walla".  Please someone put me out of my misery and explain that, willya?

Note:  the YouTube version has no subtitles, so I'm relying on my limited understanding of Hindi and my greater understanding of storytelling to follow this.

But he's wandering around after just getting out of jail, he goes to a hotel, he flashes some money (and that winning smile) at the desk clerk, she asks his name, he asks her to guess...

and -- I love this -- she guesses, "Tony" and "Anthony" and "Macaroni".  I'm amazed she didn't say Gino (see my previous Ode to Govinda post for this).

"No!" he sings.  Well, the playback singer sings.  "No!  Not Tony or Anthony or Macaroni!" 

Then follows a little yodelling (I'm not kidding), she asks, "Then who are you?"

And then this:

I swear.  He comes out of the drum to the words, "I'm John Di Mella".  Much gyrating and hip-thrusting ensues.  Now, Saroj Khan is listed as one of the dance directors for the film, so you know, I'm wondering, is this her handiwork? 

Fortunately, shortly after this he meets Neelam, and they are so absolutely, completely, and utterly adorable together that I can almost forget that image of the orange striped suit burned into my retinas.

The only thing worse?  The costumes the two dancers with him are wearing.  And the more I think about it, the more I think this character is inspired by Anthony Gonsalves, and the jumping out of a drum at a Christmas party (yes, Father Christmas makes an appearance) is an homage to "My Name is Anthony Gonsalves" from "Amar, Akbar, Anthony".

BTW?  You can thank Beth for this post.  I tweeted about this, and she insisted on seeing pictures.  But seriously, I can't wait to start ordering the DVDs, because I am going to have So Much Freaking Fun with David Dhawan and Govinda.

Edited to add:  I found it!  Of course, I was spelling it incorrectly!  The clip, in all its mind-bending glory:

Comments

[Beth]

I was about to say that if Amitabh did this, I'm sure I would find it hilarious, but since it's Govinda, I'm not convinced - and then I got to your sentence about AAA.

Right before the yodel, after saying "Tony nahin, Anthony nahin," did he say he wasn't Michael Jackson?!? He DID!

Those pants are TIGHT (and I do not mean "as in 'fly'"). How did he do so many moves in those?

Also, I think a ding dong walla must be either a porn producer or, more likely, given the setting, someone who sells Hostess snack cakes. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ding_Dong

[katherine]

Yep, he did say he wasn't Michael Jackson -- I mentioned that to someone else, because I wasn't sure I'd heard it the first time 'round.

I am constantly amazed at how Govinda can dance in pants that tight. I swear, they must have outtakes where he split them.

I'm supposing that ding-dong walla is something David Dhawan made up to be jokey. You know, instead of saying outright that he's a pickpocket and petty thief. Instead, he's an *amusing* pickpocket and petty thief.

The more I think about this film, the more I think this is just the first in David Dhawan's never-ending series of film remakes. I think it bears serious comparison to "Amar, Akbar, Anthony" in more ways than just this song.

[Beth]

Have you seen the movie of Bridget Jones's Diary? I LOVE how Renee Zelwegger does the voice over of "ding DONG" when Hugh Grant first enters the film, as if to say "ooh la la" and "yummy" and "hel-LO there" all in one. So maybe _that_ is what ding-dong walla is.

If one must be a thief, one should definitely be jolly about it and provide some sort of compensation (in the form of frivolity) to one's victims, I suppose.

[katherine]

Okay, as much as I adore Govinda? I doubt I'd be doing a Bridget Jones-style ding-DONG if he walked in the room. I'd be saving that for ... say...Hrithik. Or John Abraham.

The thing is, like Anthony Gonsalves, he's not a *real* criminal, he's just strayed off the path and needs a noodge to get back on it. He needs to be reunited with his brother. Okay, not his real brother, his adoptive brother. Amar. You know, Police Inspector Amar?

I think there are not enough hours in the day to think about David Dhawan and his remakes.

[Beth]

ding-DONG is so useful. I'm saving it for Abhishek. Or Shashi. But I do not want to give Shashi a heart attack, so I should probably scale it back a bit. I'm really bad at keeping my inner monologues inner sometimes :)

I think David Dhawan would be THRILLED to know someone is giving his work such thought. You should interview him!!!!

[katherine]

Seriously? I would *love* to interview him. I'd never be able to, I'd end up all wibbly at his feet I'd be so excited.

But one day. Maybe. It would be so cool.