A still from Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola.
Yo, Bollywood. Why so pink?
Alia Bhatt and Shahid Kapoor's upcoming film is off to a
Shaandaar start. The makers released the first song of the film, titled
Gulaabo. Despite the name, it's not very pink. Nonetheless, it sets the party mood. (Also Read:
Alia Bhatt's Shaandaar Gender Bender in New Song Gulaabo)
But that's not what this story is about.
Gulaabo transported us to Bollywood's pink past, and so for you we retrace the thin pink line. Rose-tinted glasses optional.
First up is the literal use of the word
Gulaabo. Vishal Bhardwaj's 2013 film
Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola made the word famous, as it was the name of the
desi alcohol that Pankaj Kapur so loved. The effects of
Gulaabo on Mr Kapur's character were rather hilarious and hence became as famous (if not more) than the film.
Shaandaar also stars Mr Kapur as Alia's father.
Gulaabi, a derivative of
Gulaabo, also has a special Bollywood connect. It has been used by actors to describe their beloved's features, like here by Rajesh Khanna in
Gulaabi Aankhen song from
The Train:
Sushant Singh Rajput and Vaani Kapoor used
Gulaabi to describe their
Shuddh Desi Romance. PS: It was also because the song was based in Jaipur, popularly known as the Pink City.
Bollywood's Canadian import Sunny Leone added glamour and oomph to the song
Pink Lips, from the film
Hate Story 2:
In the song
Phool Gulaab Ka from
Biwi Ho To Aisi, everything's rosy between Rekha and late actor Farooq Shaikh.
Gulaab and its derivatives have most commonly implied romance, rosy or otherwise, but its connotation changed dramatically in the film
Gulaab Gang, based on the exploits of real life pink
sari-clad vigilantes Bundelkhand called Gulaabi Gang.
Meanwhile, Alia and Shahid's
Gulaabo is enjoying a
Shaandaar run on YouTube and has crossed over 2.6 million views in less than 24 hours.
Watch the song here: