Why should I write about Slumdog now, when the whole world has already known about it, debated the movie, sang songs of victory for India and the cast, and what not?
Because there are some things I felt strongly about and must get out of my mind.
No doubt the movie is an excellent cinematic achievement – with superb direction, great acting, amazing sound and other aspects of movie-making.
But…
For one, I strongly believe that Rahman should have got an Oscar long back and am glad that he got it for Slumdog. But it grates a little somewhere in my mind to know that Jai Ho is by no measure Rahman’s best composition. So the question: isn’t it like doing the right thing for the wrong reason (song)? Rahman has given much, much better music for so many films, including (in no particular order) Gentleman, Roja, Bombay, Lagaan, Swades, Taal, Saathiya…all in all, a long list with many, many Oscar worthies than Jai Ho. Okay, Jai Ho is good, very good in fact. But not that good. Not Oscar good.
As for the raging debate about how India has been ‘projected’ in the movie, I’ll say, Why create so much fuss about India’s image just on the basis of a movie? India’s image is not something that’s anyone’s fiefdom. Nor can it be ‘damaged’ by showing realistic scenes – however ‘shitful’ they might be – on the silver screen.
Let’s get it straight: Danny Boyle and team have done a commendable job in showing many of the ills plaguing ‘third-world’ India through an amazing (even if pretty contrived) narrative.
But, again…
Neither is Danny Boyle the first one to be enchanted by the crazy place that India is, nor will he be the last one. But multiple awards and the West’s growing interest in India (because of our vast, increasingly consumerist population that can keep their companies growing, and not out of any fatherly love – make no mishtake!) have meant that the contradictions and agonies depicted in the movie will be discussed for a long time.
So? So, how should a typical Indian feel about the whole thing, you know? To become a part of the ‘it’ crowd – which goes to multiplexes munching mountains of popcorn and guzzling gallons of carbonated sugar drinks.
Well, well, well…my suggestion is, dear, why do you want to be a part of this crowd in the first place?
If the movie has really shaken you up by showing a mirror to the kind of place you live in, why don’t you do something about it? From refusing to pay bribes to demanding your rights (from the political mafia) to helping out street and slum children, I’m sure you’ll find a whole lot of ideas. Why leave everything to the NGOs?
Boyle has done his job as a film-maker and gotten acclaim. But what about you? What about me? What about us Indians?
I totally agree with you, Sanjay. I was, in fact, confused after watching the movie, and especially after it was nominated for the Oscar. I wanted to be happy that a movie made in India about Indians was getting so much attention, even if it was made by a foreigner. At the same time, I was borderline distressed about the fact that the whole world will see what India is "really" like.
ReplyDeleteLiving outside of China makes it a little more difficult. I could sense that people discussing the movie almost wanted to ask me about the slums and the poverty that has been portrayed in the movie. But they didn't perhaps out of politeness.
Anyway, we are what we are. And you are absolutely right...what are we going to do about? Hmmm...I'll surely have to think of something to do.
All in all, I am happy SDM won the Oscar but perhaps would have been happier if it was Lagaan.
In true Hollywood style - in fact, in life's style - one must 'hope' that we Indians would soon shed our confusions and inhibitions. And realise our full potential on the world's stage. But, I must add it here, simply 'aping' the West cannot be the right formula for progress (as we've seen with consumerism and global warming)...
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