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‘Roadside Romeo’ is First Disney Bollywood Animation

Walt Disney brought us to China in Mulan, to France in Hunchback of Notre Dame and Ratatouille, to Hawaii in Lilo and Stitch, to Arabia in Aladdin, to Greece in Hercules and to England in Peter Pan. Now, the leading animation company will bring us to India on its first Bollywood animation "Roadside Romeo."

Roadside Romeo is a 2008 computer-animated film, and the first major one to be made in Bollywood. It was written and directed by debutante Jugal Hansraj, who acted in films such as Mohabbatein (2000) and Salaam Namaste (2005), and was produced by Aditya Chopra and Yash Chopra under the Yash Raj Films banner. A co-production of India’s Yash Raj and the United States’ Walt Disney Pictures, it was released on October 24, 2008 in those respective countries.

The title character, a dog living in the city of Mumbai, is voiced by Saif Ali Khan. His girlfriend, Laila, is played by Kareena Kapoor. Neither of the main stars had appeared in an animated production up till this point.

The film utilizes state-of-the-art computer-animation technology done entirely in India and also features music, dances, songs and romance just like any other Yash Raj Films project.

Plot: Romeo is a dog who once lived in luxurious surroundings. Unfortunately, for him, his owners decide to migrate to London and he is left at the mercy of the servant of the house, who dumps him on the street. Left to fend for himself, he is soon cornered by the local ‘goons’ who tell him that this is their ‘domain’. Poor Romeo does not know the street lingo and is at a loss for words at first, but then turns his charm around to win these very strays as his close pals. Together, they set up a business. Everything goes on fine with a big queue outside their salon.

Then comes Charlie Anna’s chamcha (right hand) to collect hafta (protection money) and business goes for a toss. Charlie Anna is the ‘Don’ to who every dog has to pay protection money in the form of bones! Here again Romeo’s wit and presence of mind saves the day for him and his buddies who are being beaten by Charlie’s Angels!

In walks, Laila and Romeo are in love. To win her love, Laila tells Romeo that he has to dance with her in front of everyone at the Moonlight Club where she performs. Romeo says yes. After all, this is such a silly request. But he then realizes it’s not as easy as it seems because Charlie secretly desires Laila and anyone who even dares go near her is dealt with severely. But Romeo braves the odds and dances with Laila to win her heart. Love blossoms. Enter villain. Romeo is terrorized; he promises Charlie that he will win Laila for him (Charlie).

Romeo does not intend to lose Laila but has plans for deflating Charlie’s ego. He is caught two-timing by Charlie’s chamcha and all hell breaks loose. In the end, however, love triumphs. There’s a scene where Romeo shows off his left hand with Laila’s names tattooed on it and another, straight out from Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, the famous train shot.

Video Link: Roadside Romeo Official Trailer

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