Slumdog millionaire, the story of a slumboy who goes on to become a millionaire playing on the show KBC hosted in the film by Anil Kapoor is the talk of the town these days. Based on a novel “Q&A” by Vikas Swaroop, an Indian diplomat, the movie has swept the Golden Globe awards and is expected to rock at the Oscars. The movie is made in a typical Hollywood style with no songs and shows the reality with a perfect blend of drama. The movie deserves all praises for the direction, acting, music and every aspect that has been involved with it. Kudos to Danny Boyle for the masterpiece he has created.
But then I am a bit puzzled too. Why is it so that only the movies which show India as a deprived nation win so much acclaim around the world? Why India’s true expectation at the Oscars are delivered by movies which depict India as a typical third world country where people can’t get two square meals a day. Delving into the history, we find that the first Indian entry to the Oscars which was in final five was Mehboob’s “ Mother India”. This story is about an Indian farmer family which is facing tough times and has troubles feeding their two children. The clutches of the money lender, the unpredictable nature of the rains and bad luck in tandem make it difficult for the family to survive. But mother India chooses honor over blood. India’s next entry which came that close to winning was Mira Nair’s Salaam Bombay. This was a story of a Slum boy who had run from his family in the village and came to the dream city to earn livelihood and live a good life, but as the fate turned out he came to Bombay Slums. The director through his eyes presents us a picture of these slums, where in prostitution, drug dealing and child labor have been depicted beautifully and bring tears to the eyes most impassive. The last one “Lagaan” show India under the East India Company where farmers were exploited and were made to part with their hard earned bread in the form of exorbitant taxes. And now, “ Slumdog”, India’s next big expectation.
What’s common in these movies? They all show India as a typical third world country and the Indians poor. Why is it that any Karan Johar and Aditya Chopra movie have never been acclaimed? It is said that the former show reality. What is reality by the way? As per the western definition, it is the the story of the slums, the hunger, the starving belly. I am to ask, has India not progressed in these fifty years post independence. Our companies are quickly climbing the Forbes list of the best and we have one of the largest intellectual pools in the world. The list of richest people in the world is figuring more and more Indians. I agree that India has problems and farmers are committing suicide in different states and that 95% of Mumbai’s (Bombay) population lives in 5% of the area. But both are realities. The story of Jamal or that of Dhirubhai, goes from rags to riches. I just want to make the point that India is doing well and we are progressing. Definitely a country whole wealth has been plundered mercilessly by the Arab invaders and then the British it would take some time to be back on track. And as to when, I should say, yes very soon.
But then I am a bit puzzled too. Why is it so that only the movies which show India as a deprived nation win so much acclaim around the world? Why India’s true expectation at the Oscars are delivered by movies which depict India as a typical third world country where people can’t get two square meals a day. Delving into the history, we find that the first Indian entry to the Oscars which was in final five was Mehboob’s “ Mother India”. This story is about an Indian farmer family which is facing tough times and has troubles feeding their two children. The clutches of the money lender, the unpredictable nature of the rains and bad luck in tandem make it difficult for the family to survive. But mother India chooses honor over blood. India’s next entry which came that close to winning was Mira Nair’s Salaam Bombay. This was a story of a Slum boy who had run from his family in the village and came to the dream city to earn livelihood and live a good life, but as the fate turned out he came to Bombay Slums. The director through his eyes presents us a picture of these slums, where in prostitution, drug dealing and child labor have been depicted beautifully and bring tears to the eyes most impassive. The last one “Lagaan” show India under the East India Company where farmers were exploited and were made to part with their hard earned bread in the form of exorbitant taxes. And now, “ Slumdog”, India’s next big expectation.
What’s common in these movies? They all show India as a typical third world country and the Indians poor. Why is it that any Karan Johar and Aditya Chopra movie have never been acclaimed? It is said that the former show reality. What is reality by the way? As per the western definition, it is the the story of the slums, the hunger, the starving belly. I am to ask, has India not progressed in these fifty years post independence. Our companies are quickly climbing the Forbes list of the best and we have one of the largest intellectual pools in the world. The list of richest people in the world is figuring more and more Indians. I agree that India has problems and farmers are committing suicide in different states and that 95% of Mumbai’s (Bombay) population lives in 5% of the area. But both are realities. The story of Jamal or that of Dhirubhai, goes from rags to riches. I just want to make the point that India is doing well and we are progressing. Definitely a country whole wealth has been plundered mercilessly by the Arab invaders and then the British it would take some time to be back on track. And as to when, I should say, yes very soon.
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1 comment:
i dont think the movie projects india as a third world country and if we want that india's prosperity and achievements be projected at the international stage , then i think we may be turning a blind eye to reality..
for more discussion on this subject, plz visit :
1. ankurkakkar.blogspot.com
2. shobhaade.blogspot.com
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