Approach Bollywood Recommends: Bedazzled (2000) – A Devilish Deal That Sparkles with Spiritual Wisdom!

By Sonu Tyagi, Founder, Approach Entertainment & Go Spiritual

Genre: Fantasy Comedy Director: Harold Ramis Cast: Brendan Fraser, Elizabeth Hurley, Frances O’Connor Runtime: 93 minutes Where to Watch: Available on Disney+ Hotstar (with subtitles in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu)

Namaste, doston! Approach Bollywood is back with a bedazzled gem that’s equal parts hilarious, heartfelt, and profoundly spiritual. Picture this: a modern-day Faust meets Devdas in a whirlwind of wishes, but with a desi twist of karma, maya, and moksha! The 2000 Hollywood flick Bedazzled isn’t just a laugh riot—it’s a sparkling fable on the illusions of desire and the true path to a fulfilling life. Directed by Harold Ramis (the genius behind Groundhog Day), starring the ever-charming Brendan Fraser as the hapless Elliot, and the sizzling Elizabeth Hurley as the Devil herself, this film flips the script on greed and redemption. If you’re craving a movie that tickles your funny bone while nudging your soul toward enlightenment, yeh hai woh perfect pick!

The Unique Concept: Seven Wishes, One Soul on the Line!

At its core, Bedazzled revolves around a devilish contract that’s as clever as a Bollywood plot twist. Elliot Richards (Fraser) is a socially awkward office drone, hopelessly in love with his colleague Alison (O’Connor). Enter the Devil (Hurley, in jaw-dropping red outfits that scream item number energy), who offers him seven wishes in exchange for his soul. Sounds like a jackpot, right? But here’s the unique magic: Each wish backfires spectacularly due to loopholes in the fine print, turning Elliot into a Colombian drug lord, a hyper-sensitive weepy guy, a basketball star with… ahem, shortcomings, and even Abraham Lincoln mid-speech!

This isn’t your run-of-the-mill wish-granting tale like Aladdin. The concept cleverly uses comedy as a mirror to human flaws, showing how our deepest desires—wealth, power, love—are often illusions (maya) that lead to chaos. It’s like the Devil is a sly tantrik playing with your karma, forcing Elliot to confront his insecurities. In a sea of predictable rom-coms, Bedazzled stands out by blending slapstick humor with philosophical depth, reminiscent of how Bollywood films like OMG – Oh My God! or PK use satire to question faith and fate.

Connecting to Spirituality: Karma, Maya, and the Devil’s Dharma!

Bollywood loves its spiritual undercurrents—think Lagaan teaching unity or 3 Idiots preaching “All is well” for inner peace. Bedazzled echoes this beautifully, drawing from ancient wisdom without preaching. The Devil’s contract is pure karma in action: Every selfish wish boomerangs, illustrating the Bhagavad Gita’s lesson that true fulfillment comes from selfless action, not chasing fleeting pleasures.

• Maya (Illusion): Elliot’s wishes create glamorous facades—rich, tall, intelligent—but they’re hollow. It’s like the Vedic concept of the world as a dream; peel back the glitter, and suffering awaits. The film whispers: “Desires are bedazzling traps; detach to find peace.”
• The Devil as Guru? Hurley’s seductive Satan isn’t evil incarnate—she’s a catalyst for growth! By the end, Elliot realizes love can’t be forced; it blooms from authenticity. This mirrors spiritual teachings in The Alchemist or Ramayana: Trials (wishes gone wrong) lead to self-realization and moksha (soul freedom). No soul is sold; instead, Elliot earns grace through humility, echoing “God helps those who help themselves” with a karmic twist.

In desi terms, it’s like a Mahabharata side quest: Elliot is Arjuna, lost in desires; the Devil is a quirky Krishna, guiding him (via chaos) to dharma. The finale’s twist? Heaven and Hell are states of mind—fulfillment isn’t in having Alison, but in being content. Profound, na?

Lessons in Living a Fulfilling Life: Ditch the Wishes, Embrace the Wisdom!

Bedazzled isn’t just entertainment; it’s a life coach in disguise. Here’s what it teaches for a sachcha sukh (true happiness) existence:

1. Be Careful What You Wish For (Self-Awareness is Key): Elliot’s blunders show vague desires lead to disaster. Lesson: Define your goals clearly, align with your values—like setting sankalpa in yoga. Chase inner growth over external validation.
2. Authenticity Over Illusion: Every “perfect” version of Elliot fails because it’s fake. In a world of Instagram filters, the film says: Be your quirky self! True connections (like Elliot’s bond with Alison) happen when you’re real, not “bedazzled.”
3. Contentment Beats Greed: By wish #7, Elliot learns happiness isn’t in more—it’s in enough. Spiritual parallel: Practice santosha (contentment) from Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. Let go of ego; embrace gratitude for a fulfilling life.
4. Redemption Through Reflection: No one’s damned forever. Elliot’s journey proves mistakes are teachers. Forgive yourself, learn, move on—like karma yoga: Act without attachment to results.
5. Love is Selfless, Not Possessive: Forcing love? Epic fail. The film’s heart: Fulfillment comes from giving, not taking. Live with compassion, and life bedazzles itself!

Why Approach Bollywood Recommends It?

In our fast-paced kalayug, where we’re all chasing “wishes” via apps and ambitions, Bedazzled is a hilarious wake-up call. It’s family-friendly (mild adult humor, but nothing too spicy), visually dazzling with costume changes that’ll remind you of Bollywood song sequences, and packed with quotable lines like the Devil’s sassy “Sign here… in blood, preferably.” Pair it with popcorn and a post-movie chai discussion on your own “wishes”—guaranteed enlightenment with giggles!

Rating: 4.5/5 Bedazzling Stars! Watch it tonight on Hotstar, and let the spiritual sparkle transform your vibe. Kya aap ready ho iss devilish adventure ke liye? Comment below your favorite wish-gone-wrong moment! #BedazzledWisdom #ApproachBollywoodPicks

Jai Hind, Jai Soul!

Sonu Tyagi is the Founder of Approach Bollywood, Approach Entertainment, and Go Spiritual, dedicated to promoting meaningful storytelling and spiritual growth through entertainment.

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