India & The Oscars

By the time one reads this blog the Oscars must be already given out. My contention is why the media tailgating this issue or anything that has to do with International Exposure? Indian media is especially trigger-happy to report anything that has to do out of India. The most common one is an IITian working in an MNC abroad, or IIM grads getting a placement abroad. "Desi”"things when sold to "Pardesi" become more valuable than its actual price in this "Desh".

The 81st Academy Award has a special place, though. This year, instead of India we have a movie based on slums of India made by a "Firang". Surprisingly, people from the industry are not so happy about the movie getting nominated for the Oscars. I heard from many celebrities such as Mr. Bacchan, Hemaji & Raj Babbar that there is nothing new about this movie that it requires a nomination. I have not seen the movie yet, but if it is based on some realities, I think movies are just an extension of facts but are not the real facts. So why become serious about it? It is true that India has produced Master Pieces but never got the recognition unless there was an International Midas Touch. Some of the movies which made it to Oscars in some or the categories but had some tinge of India are as follows :

  • Mother India - 1957
  • Shekhar Kapur’s Elizabeth
  • Sir Richard Attenborough’s Gandhi - 1982
  • Meera Nair’s Salaam Bombay - 1989

The only Indian who got the golden statue was Mr. Satyajit Ray, that too for Lifetime Achievement.

But then why point at this issue in such a way? So what if Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire is getting dominated based on an India – story? Is this envy? Why do we have to behave like this? Guru Dutt made 9 Master Pieces and was never recognized in his own country. Who is to be blamed for that? Many things originated in India and have migrated abroad, eventually becoming their cult or culture. Like Martial Art originated in India and today we recognize it as Japanese or Chinese. Algebra originated in India but today we learn it as Western Mathematics. Astronomy, Astrology, Medicines, Sanitations, Gardening, Engineering, Economics & many more were basically Indian & now we learn even by going abroad. Taking from India and winning accolades or making things larger than life is usual practice. Why crib? Today the entire Western Economy to a sufficient extent is dependent on India. We let this happen. Who is supposed to be blamed for that? I think as an Artist or a Professional, one should either focus on commercial viability of their work and/or Artistic Self Satisfaction of creating a Master Piece. If we peek into other’s work we should only appreciate and learn and not crib about not getting it.

Politics or no politics, biased or unbiased, good or bad these thoughts can only get up to so much. If we have chosen to bow to the accolades given by some one then there has to be a spirit of seeing others win it & at the same time, learn to make a better work that appeals International Audience too. Cribbing makes us look bad.


Now comes the media. How exciting it is for the media to dig controversies around “ A MOVIE” ?. I wish there was constructive journalism which made sense and brought only good news to people in the morning when they have their first sip of coffee instead of negative, though negative sells better.

Comments

A Rustle said…
Hey,
Honestly, I concur with the view that
Slumdog isn't really worthy of all the kudos it is getting. I have seen the movie and it is a garrulous repetition of decades old stereotypes and worthless pandering. Notwithstanding the fact that as a commercial venture it is a great success as it appeals to the public, but one expects Oscars to felicitate artistic prowess rather than being just another plebeian index, I mean, that's what box office is for. This unfortunately leans you to conclude that the "foreign touch" is perhaps the only redeeming factor for the movie, and that, I guess, is what has offended so many people.

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