It is March 1, and I am late to write on the fairytale story of Slumdog Millionaire. Till now, millions of words have been written on the topic, and I am sure billions are yet to come.At the outset, congratulations to 'The Slumdog Family', as they like to be addressed. My selection of an AR Rehman pic to represent this post should make it clear that I am particularly excited about his success. Also, greetings to Gulzar and Pookutty.
Let's hope that this is just a beginning, and that we see many more Oscars, coming to India. And one day it is an Indian movie that gets the naked lady.
But how big is the probability to see it come true in the near future? Answer is, very low.
And let me throw reasons, before all those yet-to-come-out-of-euphoria people start coming for my head. Well, let us accept this. Slumdog...... is a british movie. True, it is shot in India. But so was Gandhi. It is worth mentioning that Gandhi claimed the same number of Oscars as Slumdog - 8. This time, 3 Indians share the pie.
So, we have to accept that West, especially Hollywood is not yet ready to entertain the movies meant to entertain the Indians. True, there are many 'Class' people in our society, who would find Nandita Das sexier than Bipasha Basu and who think Amitabh Bachchan should take some acting lessons from Amol Palekar. But such people are a minority. Most of the Indians still love the naach-gaana, the romance, the action, which is so easily ridiculed by the 'intellectuals'.
And I am sure that most of the Indian Filmmakers are still making movies for Indians. And they shall not compromise on that, in order to lure goraa log. There may be target viewers -multiplex goers, urban young, rural families, etc. But essentially, a Farhaan Akhtar, a Mahesh Bhatt, an Ashutosh Gowariker, an AB, an SRK, an AK, all of them target those Indians who do not confuse themselves with Americans or Europeans.
One more thing. POVERTY in India and movies on it. I know it has been discussed at many fora. So let it be another one. It is true that poverty exists in our country, which is painful and shameful. And to depict reality should not be criticized. But figure this ------ Mother India, Salaam Bombay and Lagaan. Only 3 movies till date to make it to the final five. And they had one thing in common - depiction of poverty. Now Slumdog.... almost clarifies what does the West like to see in our films.
There is no denying that Indian filmmakers should learn to be more creative. They should find new themes to make cinema on. And books should always be looked upon as a better option to get 'inspired', rather than Hollywood. And the new breed of filmmakers are doing the same. But in order to woo the Hollywood...... they should never forget that they are making movies for India and Indians. Karan Johar can be exempted.
In the end, I would like to tell everyone that I am NOT among those who a call a rose a 'thorny rose'. I would call it a rose, and that's it. So, Congratulations, once again to all the Indians who won the Oscar. And mentioning Smile Pinki is imperative. Greetings to the documentary team.
Till next Oscars, let us cherish the success, hoping for more. Till next Oscars, Jai Ho.
