Hyphenated-Homestead

Some movies are comfort food. “Queen” is the warm rajma-chawal of cinema.

This past weekend, we watched the Bollywood movie, Queen, for probably the 100th time. No kidding. It is one of our favorites from recent times and also because Netflix warned us it will be gone from the platform from June 30th. We just wanted to watch some portion of it but ended up watching everything – again!

If you’re anything like us, you’ve probably watched “Queen” multiple times and smiled each time like it’s the first. It sits right up there in the rewatch hall of fame with Hera Pheri, Andaz Apna Apna, and Dil Chahta Hai — not because of stardom or spectacle, but because of something better: its story.

Let me back up. Queen is the story of Rani Mehra, a sweet, awkward girl from Rajouri near Delhi who gets dumped by her fiancé, Vijay, days before their wedding. Most Bollywood heroines either would not sign up for such roles and if they did, the story probably would revolve around family drama. But Rani? She packs her bags and goes on her honeymoon. Solo.

This movie is one of those rare gems where the story is the real hero. Kangana Ranaut didn’t just play Rani, she became her. And that’s why the film hits differently. She’s naive but strong, traditional but open-minded, and gloriously unaware of her own awesomeness.

We all have a Rani in us. Some of us just haven’t booked her ticket yet.

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Moments We Still Quote Like It’s 2014

“Vijay nahi hai to kya hua – Vijayalaxmi to hai!” (What if there is no Vijay, you got Vijayalaxmi instead)

If there were a “Best Supporting Energy” award, it would go to Vijayalaxmi. Bold, funny, and fiercely loyal, she’s the friend you didn’t know you needed. She made Rani laugh, drink, dance, and maybe even flirt with a taxi driver.

“Yes, lip to lip kiss…what else, knee to knee?” 🤪

The simple yet genuine emotions of Rani having crush on a bit older Italian restaurant owner and ending up giving him her ‘first ever lip-to-lip’ kiss ❤️

“Aap ko Sikandar naam hi suit karta hai.” (<Although your name is ‘Alexander’>, the name ‘Sikandar’ suits you better)

A friendship that defies country boundaries, language barriers and is built on pure happiness and positive energy.

“Hing ko English mei Hing hi kahate hai.” (Hing <Asafoetida> is called Hing only 😁 in English)

Iconic and commonplace conundrum when it comes to Indian spices and cooking in a different country.

“This is not French toast. I am from France”

The absurdity of how traveling to places you have never been before can expand your knowledge and horizons.

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Songs That Make You Want to Dance, Cry, or Both

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Why Queen Works?

Because it doesn’t try too hard. It doesn’t have to. The movie lets you breathe, laugh, root for the underdog, and most importantly, heal. Rani’s transformation isn’t dramatic. It’s slow-cooked, much like her food. There’s no revenge montage, no makeover.

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Your Turn

• When was the last time you did something just for yourself?
• Watched a movie alone, took a solo walk, or said “no thanks” to something that didn’t feel right?

Maybe it’s time to book your own version of that solo honeymoon.

No drama required. Just a little courage. And maybe a pressure cooker. (कुकर चाहिये 😁- for what you ask? To make गोल गपाs – IYKYK)

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