By LAURA CAPITANO, The Times-Union

Singh is Kinng

Where: AMC Regency Theatres.

When: 4:25, 7:25, 10:25 p.m. today.

Cost: Adults, $10; children, $5.

More info: (904) 264-3888.

The first time I saw the term "Bollywood" in print, I thought it was a big ol' typo. No sir, it's really the term for the Hindi branch of India's cinematic tree. The convenient combination of Bombay and Hollywood is appropriate, as most Bollywood scripts are inspired by successful American titles.

If you're looking to round out your usual movie-going experience with some foreign flavors, the AMC Regency Square 24 theater regularly carries Bollywood movies. They're not promoted like the domestic films, so if you're curious to check one out, you pretty much have to scan AMC Regency's listings for an unfamiliar title. Singh is Kinng starts today, a film inspired by Frank Capra's 1961 A Pocketful of Miracles. It tells the story of a Punjabi villager who is sent to bring the King of the Australian underworld back to the village for talking trash about it. After a comedic turn of events, the villager then ends up becoming the king.

I went to see the theater's previous offering, Rock On, and enjoyed seeing one of these big, bright, musical movies on the big screen. Where else am I going to hear Indian hip-hop played by guys in Van Halen T-shirts? It's a rather amusing cultural overlap. Here's what else Bollywood beginners can expect from a night at the theater.


India's Brads and Angelinas

Sonal Patel is a Bollywood fan who has been going to see the movies at Regency for more than a year. She says the most important things to have in the films are very famous actors. A film is nothing without the big names. When I tell her the upcoming Singh is Kinng stars Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif (a hottie actress whose image, according to many of Singh's IMDB user reviews, is worth the price of admission), she's audibly pleased with the cast, "Yes, that will be excellent!"


Form over substance

Another key element of Indian cinema is escapism. Pure entertainment. Audiences for these films have very challenging lives, and so the content and plots are just the opposite. Films are high-energy and virtually free of sad moments and suffering. There is no war or disease in Bollywood, but there are puns and slapstick. Patel compares the Bollywood spirit to that of High School Musical: People watch for the costumes, singing and dancing.


The music moves the film

From an Indian interpretation of modern rock, to techno, to hip-hop, you will hear it all. Major Bollywood releases feature songs written for the film. Singh is Kinng's title track is a particularly big one for the genre, as Snoop Dogg teamed up with film lead Kumar on the track.

During performance scenes within the films, it's interesting to note how similar concert behavior is, no matter what the country. Even in Bollywood, singers wear Bret Michaels-style bandanas, exhibit "guitar face" and demand the audience wave their hands in the air like they just don't care.


Extreme cinematography

Oh, how Bollywood loves intense zooms, sweeping pans and in-your-face cam. It's a more lively cinematic style than American audiences are used to.


There will be reading involved

Subtitles all the way, baby. And Bollywood movies are long, well over two hours.


There's gonna be a montage

Maybe even two or three. The filmmaking tactic is a great way to fit more music into the movie, as well as a bunch of comic antics.