I'm One, Can you Believe it?


As I was doing a survey yesterday about my blog, I realized that I am officially one year old this month. My how time flies! I actually started a blog about random musings well before April of last year, but I had a difficult time maintaining it. Didn't hold enough appeal for me I guess. Then I met and fell in love with the Hindi film industry and decided to resurrect the dead goat that was my blog and "Shell's Bollyworld" was born.

As I talked about in my spiral into Bollywood post, there was (and still are)very few people who I can share my love of film with (and believe me I have tried!). What I discovered online was a completely wonderful group of people, more extensive than I could have known, that not only shared my interest, but actually made it more fun than I ever could have thought. The blogging community has become like a second family to me, one that extends past simple comment moderation. Passing the boundaries of blog posts, I've met even more fun and fabulous people on sites like twitter and facebook and even got to meet one of my very first commentors, Old is Gold just this month. In an attempt to be even more connected, I started a blog network of sorts that opens up even more avenues of communication within the community. See this post if you would like to participate.

The very first blog I found was via an article in Filmfare magazine that featured filmi blogs originating outside of India. Your one stop shop for all the little tidbits that Mumbai has to offer and beyond, FilmiGirl not only delights me daily with loads and loads of gossip (I wonder how she manages to do it every single day!), but her essays are introspective often sparking debates or inspires others to respond via their own blog post. She also has a wicked sense of humor that's not only evident in her dailies, but when she announces she's going to do something like the deconstruction of Dhoom 2, you know you're in for a treat.

Then I found Beth at Beth Loves Bollywood and all of a sudden I discovered I had the capacity to develop a whole new appreciation for knitwear, scarves and Shashi Kapoor! Not only are Beth's film reviews intellectually insightful and thoughtful, but she also has fabulous cha cha moments and was the brain child of last year's filmi Secret Santa (which I think was a fabulous success! Can't wait to do it again this year!)

I remember getting the first commentor on my blog who wasn't my sister. It was exciting and exhilarating and led me to bollywooddeewana, whose blog is a vast array of knowledge, ranging from movies from nearly every decade to fashion in the industry. I thought it was funny when we recently connected on facebook and I had to investigate his page before realizing who I had just friended!

Meeting Old is Gold was a fantastic treat, and when I started blogging I never thought I would find someone online that was so close in proximity to me geographically speaking. It simply amazes me that someone would know that a movie is from the 50's, not the 30's, just by who is singing a particular song, but that's why I look to OiG for guidance. She inspires me to look beyond what I know and one day I'll expand my filmi horizons. In the meantime, I know I can always get a good laugh reading her always hilarious screen caps!

It's so hard to keep up with everything that comes out these days in terms of music, but that's when I turn to Darshit's blog Movies, Music and Me. He always has reviews of new music up right away and has been responsible for steering me to songs I would have never even known about (from Shaapit, for example). I always love his fantastic song lists and they always expose me to more filmi goodness, whether we're seeing songs on trains, Holi or best of's. Fantastic stuff!

One of the bloggers who I hold the highest respect is The Bollywood Fan. Holding a veil of secrecy over his real life (I think he is the only blogger who's real name I don't know) he is a vast of knowledge when it comes to Bollywood. A huge Aamir Khan fan, his reviews are wonderfully in-depth - if you haven't checked out the links related to Lagaan week you absolutely must. I never realized so much could be said about a movie! I've had the opportunity to engage in some very interesting debates over language with him and it is always a pleasure! I'm still waiting, tbf, for your take on MNIK!

What I have really begun to treasure though is the FABULOUS group of women who not only share their thoughts in blogland, but provide constant wit and laughter daily in twitter. Who else allows my inner fangirl to misbehave as much as she needs to? #SRKAngels, Jocelyn, Daddy's Girl, Erin, Ani, Anita, Alex, Reema, Pitu, Suzy, Christy, as well as new friends who haven't ventured into blogworld yet (that I know of), I derive as much joy in our twitter convo's as I do experiencing the unique humour in every single one of your blog posts! You all inspire me to become better than I am, and I want to thank you for that!

And, finally, my wonderful sister who not only has a fascinating blog of her own, but also introduced me to Bollywood, inspired me to start my own blog, and created my banner(she's bahut talented). Thanks sis! Love you!

There are so many more fantastic people and blogs out there that I have found and more that I am discovering all the time, so I thank you to everyone for helping me evolve and learn. It has been a wonderful year, and I hope the next year brings even more filmi goodness. I really hope that the IIFA's next summer give us all a chance to get together! Let's see if Toronto can contain our crazy!

Love you all, my Bollywood family!

18 Response to "I'm One, Can you Believe it?"

  1. Rae says:
    April 14, 2010 at 2:16 PM

    Aww! I love it! It's like an Oscar speech only better because I'm mentioned in it and it's about Bolly!
    I'm so there for the awards next summer. I love Toronto and to have a tweetup that coincides with Bolly fabulousness? Too, too much!

  2. Daddy's Girl says:
    April 14, 2010 at 2:18 PM

    Yay!! Happy Birthday Shell! I alwasy enjoy reading your thoughts - you have a very perceptive, fresh, warm, open and honest way of expressing yourself, and I love that. Here's to many more fabulous years of sharing your passion for Bollywood...

  3. Shellie says:
    April 14, 2010 at 2:30 PM

    Christy - Ha ha! I'd like to thank god and Bollywood Fangirl, for your continued support of my blog and recognition of the coalition for mute stable boys!

    Daddy's Girl - You are so sweet! Thanks so much and can't wait to meet you too!!!

  4. Anonymous Says:
    April 14, 2010 at 2:45 PM

    Congrats on one year! Although I'm new to your world, I love reading your musings...so much fun!

    -K8yR

  5. rhilex says:
    April 14, 2010 at 7:38 PM

    AW! This is the sweetest thing! =) I would do this when my blog turns one, but I don't think I can top this. <3

    I love interacting with everyone, too! I don't think I would have stuck with my blogging at all, honestly, if not for all the feedback, comments, and friends I've gotten out of it. =) *hugs all around*

  6. Anishok says:
    April 14, 2010 at 9:08 PM

    Happy Birthday!!!

    You pretty much summed up the way I feel about meeting you and all the other wonderful bloggers :-)

    *joins the group hug*

  7. Tady Rox! says:
    April 14, 2010 at 10:00 PM

    Congrats on ur First Anniversary!!!

  8. bollywooddeewana says:
    April 15, 2010 at 3:14 AM

    Lovely Post Shell, its so heartwarming, Happy blogthday (Lol how silly of me, it stays) wishing you many more happy blogging years to come......xx

  9. Chrism929 says:
    April 15, 2010 at 8:05 AM

    Happy birthday! I've only recently begun to explore the fabulous world of Bollywood bloggers and you're one of my favorites.

  10. dunkdaft says:
    April 15, 2010 at 9:33 AM

    Slurrp, what a cake u served on this day! Yay 4 bollyworld. May SRK sun always keep shining. Best luck 4 coming years! Thanks 4 ur words abt my little blog. Cheers!

  11. Bollywood says:
    April 15, 2010 at 1:23 PM
    This comment has been removed by the author.
  12. bollyviewer says:
    April 15, 2010 at 1:38 PM

    Happy first anniversary, Shell!! Here's hoping there are many more blogging years ahead. I love reading your peppy posts and your thoughtful writing.

    The Bollyblog world is an amazing place. I've no idea how I lived without all my blogging friends and my daily "fix" of blog reading - and my "before blogging" was just a couple of years ago!

  13. Reema says:
    April 16, 2010 at 11:56 AM

    Happy 1st Birthday! Such a milestone. :D

    Though I've only been reading your blog for about 2 months, it's one of my favs. So glad to have met you and all the other angels on Twitter, makes it so much more fun. I'm glad there are other crazies like me out there. :D

  14. Shellie says:
    April 16, 2010 at 2:30 PM

    Thanks everyone for the wishes (I almost feel like it's my real life birthday!).

    I can't believe how much interacting with you all has enriched my daily life!

    Thanks again! *hugs and smooches all around*

  15. Jules says:
    April 18, 2010 at 8:48 PM

    Yay! Happy blogaversarie, Didi! I'm so happy for you, that you've stuck with this for so long and have truly made your own commmunity! Beautiful!!

    May you be blessed with many good posts and even more good friends along the way!

    Much love!!!
    XOXO

  16. Shellie says:
    April 19, 2010 at 7:21 AM

    Thanks sis! Mwah!!

  17. Filmbuff Says:
    April 22, 2010 at 8:56 PM

    Happy Birthday! Sending you balloons in bollywood istyle for ur birthday.

    What a good tribute to your fellow bloggers.

    Looks like non twitter people like me have to wait for an occasional post from bloggers like you!

    Here is to many more happy Indian film watching !

  18. Shellie says:
    April 23, 2010 at 7:18 AM

    I know posts have been less frequent lately, but I'm going to try and post a little more often, after all the movies don't stop coming!

    Thanks for the nice sentiments!