Slumdog Millionaire: Don’t get too carried away!
February 23rd, 2009
A still from Slumdog Millionaire
Why are we all getting carried away with Slumdog Millionaire? For a moment just forget about these awards and tell me if you guys even knew about this movie before it was flashed around as a winner? What’s so great about this that the entire country has gone bonkers over it? Why is every news channel and every newspaper touting this as an Indian victory because it’s most definitely not? It’s made by a Britisher, Danny Boyle and produced by another Britisher, Christian Colson. The only thing which are Indian about the whole thing are it’s actors, the setting and the music score. And yes the story is based on a book written by an Indian. That’s a lot, you’d say. So, doesn’t all this make this movie Indian, you’d ask? May be, may be not. But the point here is something else entirely. The awards which the movie has won are a recognition of an individual genius, the director and yes, the music director too. The only justifiable appreciation (in the Indian context) is that of AR Rehman, nothing else. And yes, AR Rehman does truly deserve every bit of it. As for the rest, it’s our misplaced sense of belongingness which has taken over our decision making capabilities.
Just take a look at what Amitabh Bachhan said in his blog.
When he says “westerner” and “other would perhaps not” I somehow get the feeling that what he actually meant was that had it not been for the “westerner” the movie would not have got all these awards. He cannot say it in such simple words because of obvious reasons. Even this statement of his provoked a strong reaction from everyone and he had to more or less retract/clarify his position. Here’s what he said later on.
Yeah, forget it. Amitabh Bachhan has never really been a guy who could take stands and stick to his guns. But the fact remains that all of us, me included, are obsessed by any recognition by “westerners” for anything which is even remotely Indian. It’s high time we got out of this stupid mental frame of mind. It’s time we did something of our own so that these “westerners” take notice. After all aren’t we making the maximum number of movies in the world? And if we are, wouldn’t it be logical to let Hollywood films also compete in our awards? Why can’t we have a foreign film category, at least in Film Fare Awards? I know it’ll involve a whole lot of work in terms of pursuading these “westerners” to be a part of it but it can be done. All they need to be told is that we are country where more than 200 million people speak and understand English and if their movies win awards in our country that will translate into big money here in India. That will work, for sure. It always does. Is Bollywood listening?
Related Post
No related posts
If you like this post subscribe to my RSS feed. See how?
Loading ...
January 17th, 2009 at 11:18 pm
I saw Slumdog Millionaire today. Boyle has really done a good job with this movie. While the movie deals with the gory details of the underbelly of Mumbai, it doesnt really leave you with a sick feeling. The story feels like a commentary and at the end you just feel good about the whole movie. Very well done I must say.
The music score by Rehman is amazing, the actors who played junior Jamal and Salim were the real stars. They were simply too good.
I think we should appreciate the film for what it is. It really is a very well made film and tats the reason people are going ga ga over it. The acting of the kids was too good and the director has really made it well.
Comment on this Comment
January 18th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
Mumbai (interesting name), the movie may be good but what about the question that I asked? Why do we all go crazy over every "western" endorsement of anything even remotely Indian?
Comment on this Comment
January 29th, 2009 at 3:25 am
"Why can’t we have a foreign film category, at least in Film Fare Awards?"
__I like this idea :)
Comment on this Comment
February 23rd, 2009 at 3:14 pm
bullshit Sush! why can't you feel good about the success of an Indian story? this is an Indian story isn't it?
Comment on this Comment
July 17th, 2009 at 9:35 pm
Good morning, I am new to this site. I have just learned about this site. I am going to read on and it's very interesting to know
Comment on this Comment
July 20th, 2009 at 10:56 am
This is a very beautiful website, I have enjoyed my visit here very much. I'm very honoured to sign in your guestbook. Thanking you for the great work that you are doing here.
Comment on this Comment
August 5th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
Hi My wife and I would like to thank you all for this web site. Hours of pleasure and all
Comment on this Comment
August 9th, 2009 at 10:36 pm
A very very nice site with helpful informations! So keep up the good work - I already added the site to my personal favourites. All the best!
Comment on this Comment
August 14th, 2009 at 6:02 pm
You are doing a wonderful thing here on the Internet. I wish you the very best. Kindest regards.
Comment on this Comment
August 15th, 2009 at 5:37 pm
A very interesting website. I plan to access it again when I get home and have more time. There is much I need to look into here.
Comment on this Comment
August 27th, 2009 at 11:53 am
Hi, I really apreciated this website! Thanks
Comment on this Comment
September 3rd, 2009 at 4:51 am
Keep it up (like I do :-)) Great site - loved the bit about yourselves.
Comment on this Comment
September 10th, 2009 at 10:37 pm
Nice site try it here.
Comment on this Comment
May 2nd, 2010 at 5:22 am
Your post is satisfactory. There are some things that can be discussed here but don't have the time right now. I'm bookmarking this url and leave this comment to check again later and update my first comment (this one). By the way i found your blog as i was searching for similar subjects in Bing
Comment on this Comment