Postcards from Peru

For avid traveller and travel documentary film-maker Glen David Short, life is full of surprises. But it took him completely by surprise when he reached the small town of Cusco in Peru, on the way to the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu. Visiting the ancient Inca capital, he discovered what drives Cusco people crazy — Bollywood.

47-year-old Glen says, “Young people know Bollywood film dialogues and songs by heart. In fact, to celebrate local events, there are Bollywood theme parties — Hindi songs, dances and Indian cuisine galore.”

It is Latin America’s lesser known secret. Glen says. “I was roaming across Latin America for 10 years until I came to Cusco.” Incidentally, Glen wanted to make a 10 minute film, but ultimately ended up making a 20 minute one. The title of the film is The King of Cusco, as the film-maker explains, “Any youngster in Cusco will say Shah Rukh Khan is the king of Cusco. That’s what drives the city.”

The film footage also includes interviews with local TV channels that are dedicated to Bollywood music and their hosts. He says, “These talk show hosts perhaps know more about Hindi movies than an average Indian.”

In fact, the city is so driven by Bollywood that TV channels also give out Bollywood-themed prizes for quiz contests — posters of Shah Rukh Khan and Katrina Kaif. Glen surprises us by saying, “Little girls put on ornate costumes and dance to the tunes of the latest Hindi film hits.”

Cyrus Dastur, whose Shamiana short film club will be screening the film soon, says, “Something as exotic as dance classes with Hindi music in a small town like Cusco defies logic. But that’s what good films are about.”