This is the Angry Young Man taking on the Aam Admi!
Was reading some comments here about Slumdog and found views being very fickle and narrow minded. I'll tell you why.......
To begin our sense of nationhood and unity is so fragile that we feel hurt that a work of fiction can make us look "degraged". Your sure? That was just a work of fiction and thank God for it. Reality hits your harder. .
1. Poverty and Destitution: You've chosen to turn a blind eye and believe that the world does not see you cause you can't see the world. Take off the blind fold, reality is even more scary. So don't crib when you see something that you've otherwise chosen to brush under the carpet. Perception v/s reality---A big gaping hole
2. "Nothing Good about India is shown": You thought a foreigner would make a film on India about it's shopping malls and IT's success stories?? You want another Thomas Friedman celebrating India and Nandan cause maybe he can sell more books here??
You thought more Indian words were added to the Oxford Dictionary because Hindi was becoming popular cause of the likes of Karan Johar?? We celebrate our languages or our arrival when it's nothing more than a marketing ploy. Remember when we went GAGA over Bobby Jindal.
Also isn't the fact that a slumdewller in this materialistic world ends up fighting the odds just like we all do cause we believe in love and those close to us, is something about India.
Despite the problems with Policy we still have stories like Dhirubai who fight through the odds. Despite the mess are in, a Narayan Murthy comes up. The story of the Indian without resources who sees dirt everywhere rises and wins. Wasn't that the story??
A muslim boy falls in love with a Hindu girl. Isn't that what we all wish her that love was despite religion, despite money . Wasn't that good?? and also something we see around??
3. If an Indian would have made the film then no recognition: Yup I'd agree. If you let such films be made in first place. Remember Deepa Mehta and how she had to make "Water" outside of India. When she dared touch homosexuality, we had self imposed cultural saviours gunning for her head. So much for Indian making it....We love Chak De as it gives you a false sense that the Indian Womens Hockey team is in great shape.
Who's the Hockey team captain by the way? Don't remember. You'll remember Sagrika Ghagte for sure! And if a gora told you that India is bad at sports you don't like it. And then Your national pride is at stake???? Confused Identity I must say.
4. Sterotyping: Yup, be it books or movies that have exploited India's poverty and made millions. Quite uncreative I must say and I didn't like the film for reasons restricted to film making. Sold poverty and that for some reasons wins Oscars, bookers.....
But National Pride and Honour??? When was the last time you offered your left cheek when he slapped you on the right one? And surely you'll get worked up if I criticised your father of the nation. Right?
My pride in being Indian lies in the fact that me and Mazzhar despite our views and Narendra Modi can still have tea together. And also certain aspects of our culture.
My idea of India is where I can choose to stand up for the National Anthem. I don't stand cause a fed minister said so and will sit if I chose. But I stand cause I feel proud.
Wanna know how intolerant and bigoted we all are?? Check the members who "distrust" me after this post because they couldn't tolerate a view. You want someone who sends you pleasentaries.... well then he may just become a "star" right here on MS. Show me your trusted circle and I'll show you a plagiarist.
I'd rather be honest and unpopular than be dishonest and "politically correct"
