First things first, it’s great that a movie that’s Indian in a large way has won 10 Oscar nominations. Yeah, Slumdog Millionaire has done us proud.
But the debate that’s doing its rounds in India is whether the movie is putting up a wrong picture in front of the whole world about India being a land of the poor.
Well, I am yet to see and form an opinion on the movie since it is releasing tomorrow. Nor have I traveled the world as such to know what the present opinion of the world about India is. From what we hear and read, India is known as the land of many cultures, traditions, festivals, and diversity in various forms. I guess it’s a widely known fact that India has one of the largest populations with masses living in utmost poverty.
Unless someone knows an Indian abroad he will not know the true picture of the country from outside. When Aishwarya was on Oprah Winfrey show, Oprah was shocked to know that Indian kids live with their parents even after they graduate. She didn’t know that virginity was considered a Big issue in our country. She was somewhat unaware of the Saree as well. If she didn’t know much about our value and family system, it’s very difficult to expect it from an ordinary American citizen.
That’s just one very different example that I know of. What I'm trying to ask is that what is the true picture anyway? Isn’t poverty a major part about our country? If someone was watching CNN a month back, wouldn’t he know about the terror attacks? Will he conclude that India is always under terrorists?
I hope not. Sure it would evoke some thoughts, but an intelligent person would not generalize the whole thing. And for those who want the world to paint only the rosy picture(read : all of us), lets hope after this movie loads of film makers will throng India and someone would definitely show the India that we dream about.
Lastly, I’ll watch this movie and hope it’s as good as our expectations. Hopefully it will make lots of money and it will do nothing to our ‘image’ abroad!I've also heard that the producers might share the monetary success of the movie with the Indian slums.So, all is well. Why the fuss?
There is always a fuss about something or the other. Always.
ReplyDeleteWe are a very fussy people. Not just Indians, but the Global citizens. Haha.
I don't think the country was shown in a poor limelight. They showed a parts of the city and country which is poor and happened to be where the boy grew up or lived in. A PART of India. Not India.
ReplyDeleteDon't really understand the debate!
heye guess wat!! I have started a blog today....well....not so much out if my wish...had do...for work...we are doing sum digital media campaign... bt after creating one...it feels good...wil send u d link once i post sumthng..will need a lot of tips!
ReplyDeletedid you know someone has filed a PIL against the director for having kept 'slumdog' as a title? They thought it to be derogatory to Indians, calling them dogs!! How ridiculous can people get!!
ReplyDeleteI have seen the movie:) and written about it in my post:) once a foreigner asked me....do you have snakes running on the road? and many ridiculous questions, even now they ask some from my son, so it is important that highlighted movies give atrue picture.
ReplyDeletewhy are we indians so image conscious, well watever its a movie its work of fiction( altho the depiction is very close to reality and it does show the dirty side of our country) but dsnt every country have one??.....i have seen the movie and i dont agree there is anything wrong in it..we have enough battles to fight u know.. than this..ridiculous is the way we react to the most of such inconsequential things and just sit back and watch where we neeed to react!
ReplyDelete@sirop: ya..n unless we dont fuss...we dont really enjoy!!
ReplyDelete@poisonivy: same here..i saw the movie n loved it!
@prachi: will visit u soon!
@Piper: when it wins the oscars...everyone will be praising it n hopefully they will all shut up!
@Renu: thats what...should they generalize from one movie n understand india as one big slum..??i think people who comment like this are plain ignorant!
@dream runner: well...i guess we have started reacting to quite a bit now..and its wonderful.its not wrong to put up your views...but to drag them and use them for political purposes is disgusting.