This Diwali — Thugs Of Hindostan (Updated)

As any regular readers are well aware, we're really into Bollywood movies at our house. In addition to the fun of finding a whole new sort of movie experience, we recently realized that we've gradually been educated more about Indian culture and attitudes. (All are reviewed under the Bollywood link above.)

• Ek Tha Tiger taught us that the Indians feel about Pakistan the way we felt about the USSR in James Bond movies.
• Chak De! India taught us that the Indians struggle to put national unity above regional identity.
• English Vinglish showed us how Indians felt about the American immigration experience. And about the importance placed on speaking English in India.
• Aiyyaa (not reviewed) gave us a glimpse of the Hindi ideas of Tamil culture.
• Dhoom 3 showed us that no villain is worse than a bank. Ever.

Recently Rose began looking into top grossing Indian films to supplement her Top 100 Bollywood movies list from which we'd been drawing. This is when we realized that Diwali (the Hindu festival of lights, which is a national holiday) is the time to release your big blockbusters. So many trailers have "This Diwali!" as the release time.

And, luckily, this Diwali (early November) is coming a movie for which I've been waiting. Yes, we've finally come that far. We can eagerly anticipate movie openings.

The director of Tashan and Dhoom 3 teamed with  some of our favorite stars, Aamir Khan and Katrina Kaif, to give us what looks like an amazing historical romp set in the time of the Raj. I know I've never seen Aamir Khan looking like this (the rascally scoundrel).

Check out the trailer (it has captions, in case they don't come on automatically).

Thugs Of Hindostan - Official Trailer

Amitabh Bachchan | Aamir Khan | Katrina Kaif

Set in 1795, the film follows a band of Thugs led by Khudabaksh Azaad, who aspires to free Hindostan (the Indian subcontinent) from the rule of the expanding British East India Company. Alarmed, British commander John Clive sends a small-time Thug from Awadh, Firangi Mallah, to infiltrate and counter the threat.

This may wind up being the first Indian movie we actually go to a theater to watch! There are some theaters north of us with a large Indian community where English subtitled films can be seen. Can't wait!

UPDATE
We did go see this at the theater and enjoyed it enormously. It was a big spectacle and we loved it.

 Hannah and Rose discussed it in episode 39 of An American's Guide to Bollywood podcast.