D.C.’s Bollywood boom

The number of Indian people living in Virginia surpassed the number of Korean people living in the state, accounting for some of the Bollywood fervor.

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Gurpreet Singh "Hemi," a realtor from Silver Spring, cuts loose at a Hollywood-Bollywood dance party.

Astrid Riecken / For The Washington Post

A Hollywood-Bollywood dance party, organized by Manan Katohora, attracts young people — mostly Indians — who dance to Bollywood flicks.

Astrid Riecken / For The Washington Post

Bollywood's fizzy pop songs embed in the brain, leading to involuntary hip shaking even hours later.

Astrid Riecken / For The Washington Post

Indian people have overtaken Koreans as the largest group of Asians in Virginia, which accounts for some of the growing fervor for Bollywood.

Astrid Riecken / For The Washington Post

Film director Ishu Krishna, center, directs a set for her Bollywood-style film "Arrange to Settle," about an Indian girl that decides to get an arranged marriage following a series of failed relationships. Second Cameraman Jamie Young, left, and Director of Photography Gene Ertel, right, are part of the film crew.

Astrid Riecken / For The Washington Post

In "Arrange to Settle," director Ishu Krishna plans to weave dance scenes into wedding scenes to appeal to American audiences.

/ Photo courtesy Ishu Krishna

Krishna, center, says that the popularity of films like "Slumdog Millionaire" proves that there is an American appetite for Bollywood.

Astrid Riecken / For The Washington Post

Mehndi is applied to Priya Jagdeesh's hand by artist Amber Ghauri for the wedding scenes of "Arrange to Settle."

/ Photo courtesy Ishu Krishna

On the set of "Arrange to Settle," actor Ravi Khanna, right, plays piano while Assistant Director Stefan Latoure, second from right, Sound Man Jeremy Zunk, second from left, Producer Amie Cull, left, and actress Sabita Raman look on.

Astrid Riecken / For The Washington Post

Ravi Khanna, right, and Sabita Raman star in the film.

Astrid Riecken / For The Washington Post

Priya Jagdeesh, back center, the lead actress who plays a character named Jyothi, and Chandra Kumar, back left, who plays Jyothi's mother Lalitha, appear in a dance scene of the film "Arrange to Settle." The dancers are from Dhoonya Dance.

/ Photo courtesy Ishu Krishna

Choreographer Vishal Kano, who teaches at the CityDance Center at Strathmore, demonstrates different Bollywood dance positions. Bollywood dance is a mixture of different dance styles including belly dancing, kathak, Indian folk, Western popular and even erotic dancing.

Astrid Riecken / For The Washington Post

Kano, with dance student Yazmine Nowline, demonstrate traditional Bollywood moves.

Astrid Riecken / For The Washington Post

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Lifestyle

D.C.’s Bollywood boom

The number of Indian people living in Virginia surpassed the number of Korean people living in the state, accounting for some of the Bollywood fervor.

Featured Photo Galleries