Indian American directed comedy makes it to the top Monday, 08 August , 2005, 15:41 Washington: Dukes of Hazzard,' a typical Bollywood 'masala' flick, directed by Indian American Jay Chandrasekhar, which opened last Friday, has grossed 30.6 million dollars at the box-office, making its way to the top chart for this week's releases.
The 53-million dollars movie, being distributed by Warner Brothers, is an adaptation of a 1980's television show about two good old boy cousins, their cousin and their thrilling escapades in their Dodge van, and how they outwit the cops in their attempt to save their family farm from a crooked politician.
The 35-year-old Chandrasekhar, who was born on April 9, 1968 in Chicago, Illinois to physician parents -- both immigrants from India, has so far directed three other comedies -- Broken Lizard's Club Dread, Super Troopers and Puddle Cruiser -- and has appeared also as a guest star in the television series NYPD Blues.
But Dukes of Hazard, a perfect mix of action, adventure and comedy, has established Chandrasekhar as a very promising and competent director, according to film reviews and film industry news.
Jay, whose complete name is Jayant Jambulingam Chandrasekhar, studied history and arts at Colgate University. He then went on to study performing arts and movies.
The original television series, which ran from 1979-85 was set in present day and the story follows the adventures of 'good old boy' cousins, Bo (Seann William Scott) and Luke (Johnny Knoxville) Duke, who with the help of their sexy cousin Daisy (Jessica Simpson) and moonshine running Uncle Jesse (Willie Nelson), try and save the family farm from being destroyed by Hazzard County's greedy and corrupt commissioner Boss Hogg (Burt Reynolds).
The film is rated PG-13.