Monsoon Wedding

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Monsoon Wedding ★★★ 2001 (R)

Outlines the clash of India's traditional culture with the growing modern sensibilities of the new Delhi. Aditi Vermas (Das) is promised in marriage to Hemant (Dabas) an Indian computer programmer living in Houston, whom she has yet to meet. The problem is, Aditi has a life of her own, including a married TV host for a boyfriend. When the couple eventually meet, tensions and attraction arises as a bevy of romantic subplots swirl like the title's monsoon around them. Film's large, Altmanesque cast of characters include both sides of the intendeds' family. Nair's engaging storylines, fresh premise and lush cinematography succeed in depicting the turbulent modern life in Delhi. In English, and Hindi and Punjabi (with English subtitles). 113m/C VHS, DVD . IN US Naseeruddin Shah, Lillete Dubey, Shefali Shetty, Vasundhara Das, Parvin Dabas, Vijay Raaz, Tilotama Shome, Rajat Kapoor; D: Mira Nair; W: Sabrina Dhawan; C: Declan Quinn; M: Mychael Danna.