The most extolled film of the year…the Golden Globe award winner & Oscar nominated ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ made me feel perturbed & affronted!
The story of a slum dog to become millionaire overnight was inspirational enough, but Mr. Danny Boyle used the ominous side of India with dexterity to grab the critic’s eye ball…which I personally don’t support.
Here in India at least people have slums for accommodation, where as in USA, people stand beside the road for help with a placard in hand,’ homeless’ written on it. Every country built high rise buildings over the ashes of poor & distressed people…we are not an exception! We don’t have enough money, but we don’t cheat people in the name of ‘Mineral water’. It was loathsome where the child protagonist was beaten by police & told the American couple that it’s the face of ‘Real India’…then the Americans gave him a dollar as compensation, to give the boy an idea about ‘REAL USA’! How many Indians support with this? In fact, I think Iran or Afghanistan could depict the ‘REAL’ picture of America in a more ‘REAL’ manner!
Child labor, prostitution, slums, unhygienic society, indigence, poverty… everything is true indeed, but the way this has been used in this film to lure audience abroad was wrong. They knew critics would love this backward face of India instead of the developed side which we have achieved within only 62 years of independence! Perhaps this is the reason why Taree Zamin Par couldn’t win the Oscar, since dyslexia is nourished by richer countries like UK & USA & here we fed up disease like Polio or malnutrition & critics wanted to see that ‘REAL’ face of India!!
This film is a filthy way to show where we stand. Life here isn’t as magnificent as its been depicted in Yash Raj or Karan Johar movies…I agree; but I somberly disagree with the way our futility was used by this British Film maker.
My heart leaps up when I behold a rainbow in the sky.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Mirage of Hope!
In inspirational inaugural address after being sworn in as the 44th President of the United States, Mr. Obama told the nation: "Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and begin again the work of remaking America."…."Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends - hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism - these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history.” Enthronement of the first black president Barack Hussein Obama marked the new era of development & prosperity for America.
Honestly, Obama’s inauguration speech is not my matter of interest...as an Indian I was hoping for some change in America’s foreign policy, which will be beneficial for India. But as the new administration has unveiled its bilateral relationships with Japan, South Korea & Australia, but not India…I was disappointed. You have seen live telecast of his inaugural session directly from US…his presidential election has been of your interest from last year…you are as happy as any other Americans when he won the seat of US President. But how this change in White House will affect our lives? After Indo US Nuke Deal though it can be said that relation between India & America are smooth now…in fact in the last Mumbai terror attack we have got assistance & cooperation from US to tackle Pakistan sponsored terrorism. But The Agenda – foreign policy, of Obama & Biden led us to devise since it says “they will maintain strong ties with allies like Japan, South Korea & Australia” with no mention of India. One good news is that America has a broad agreement with India for global nuclear disarmament, to stop development of nuclear weapons. As well as they deal with countries like Pakistan & Afghanistan to strengthen security worldwide. But the issue of Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT) regarding India is still on hold, while White House has strong support for this in the context of North Korea & Iran.
And this is yet to see if the new President will use his veto power in United Nations Security Council for permanent membership of India, since experts says that Brazil, Germany, India & Japan are the most strongest competitors.
Honestly, Obama’s inauguration speech is not my matter of interest...as an Indian I was hoping for some change in America’s foreign policy, which will be beneficial for India. But as the new administration has unveiled its bilateral relationships with Japan, South Korea & Australia, but not India…I was disappointed. You have seen live telecast of his inaugural session directly from US…his presidential election has been of your interest from last year…you are as happy as any other Americans when he won the seat of US President. But how this change in White House will affect our lives? After Indo US Nuke Deal though it can be said that relation between India & America are smooth now…in fact in the last Mumbai terror attack we have got assistance & cooperation from US to tackle Pakistan sponsored terrorism. But The Agenda – foreign policy, of Obama & Biden led us to devise since it says “they will maintain strong ties with allies like Japan, South Korea & Australia” with no mention of India. One good news is that America has a broad agreement with India for global nuclear disarmament, to stop development of nuclear weapons. As well as they deal with countries like Pakistan & Afghanistan to strengthen security worldwide. But the issue of Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT) regarding India is still on hold, while White House has strong support for this in the context of North Korea & Iran.
And this is yet to see if the new President will use his veto power in United Nations Security Council for permanent membership of India, since experts says that Brazil, Germany, India & Japan are the most strongest competitors.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Vapoury politics
Bengal has become the ultimate precedent of anti amelioration political culture. It seems that our political leaders are more concerned about the working class than the leaders of other metro cities. Perhaps our sensible leaders think that pollution can be controlled by calling more strikes in a month! It’s strange to see that these people are so engrossed in securing their vote banks that they don’t even bother about us. Every other city has seen protest & violence to ban auto pollution but our State Govt. is unable to handle the same thing & has pleaded helplessness. I wonder, in the issue of Singur we have seen violence on a larger level but that time Govt. was stick to its place, but why this time they surrendered themselves so easily?
Our administration is incapable of maintaining law & order in the state & wide range of protest has now become symbolical while implementing a court order in the city (take the issue of Book Fair venue for another example). Apart from that, Kolkata doesn’t have enough LPG outlets. Merely 12 outlets are there where as the target was 75, what was the Govt. doing since July 18? Preparing for Film Festival?
I’m not in the favor of any of the parties. The CM, who once said that at first he is the member of Alimuddin St., we can’t expect him to get above from party politics since he, himself have accepted that for him party comes first. But being a cultural & educated leader he should realize the adverse effect of pollution, which will affect the auto drivers more than any body else. On the other hand, our Didi, who considers her party, is for the people of grass root level, for whom we had to bid ‘good bye’ to the Nano project, is back to her form. She has become synonymous with anti development in Bengal.
Destruction of public property, blood shed, strikes, political procession….doesn’t protect interest of auto drivers. At the end of the day, its poor people who suffer from pollution the most.
Our administration is incapable of maintaining law & order in the state & wide range of protest has now become symbolical while implementing a court order in the city (take the issue of Book Fair venue for another example). Apart from that, Kolkata doesn’t have enough LPG outlets. Merely 12 outlets are there where as the target was 75, what was the Govt. doing since July 18? Preparing for Film Festival?
I’m not in the favor of any of the parties. The CM, who once said that at first he is the member of Alimuddin St., we can’t expect him to get above from party politics since he, himself have accepted that for him party comes first. But being a cultural & educated leader he should realize the adverse effect of pollution, which will affect the auto drivers more than any body else. On the other hand, our Didi, who considers her party, is for the people of grass root level, for whom we had to bid ‘good bye’ to the Nano project, is back to her form. She has become synonymous with anti development in Bengal.
Destruction of public property, blood shed, strikes, political procession….doesn’t protect interest of auto drivers. At the end of the day, its poor people who suffer from pollution the most.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Price of life...
Post 26/11 effects:
Resignation of Home minister Shivraj Patil by accepting the moral responsibility for the attack.
Resignation of Bilas Rao Desmukh.
India has seen public outrage from every section of the society.
We have seen Pranab Mukherjee in action like never before.
NIA & UAPA bills which aim to make laws on terror tougher were passed by the Lok Sabha on December 17.
India is might be on the way to declare war against Pakistan.
Serial bomb blasts in Jaipur, Bangalore, Delhi, Assam left a sizeable number of people dead in 2008. According to data, terrorist violence has claimed 20,000 lives in India since 1998. But it seems that our government doesn’t believe in numbers, that’s why only the people victimized in Taj or Oberoi hotel worked as an eye opener for them. Only the attack in South Mumbai was severe enough for the bureaucracy to realize that they are supposed to be responsible (morally or practically) for all these terrorism whether regional or international spreading through out the nation. My question is why so? What if the terrorists wouldn’t target the elite groups in Mumbai? I guess we all know the answer…the lives of aam admi wouldn’t be enough for the government to open their eyes. We need page 3 people to compel the politicians to take responsibility for a mishap. We have seen unforgettable public outrage in Mumbai attack which was missing in the last devastating attacks that took place in the country. This time the elites has realized that even they aren’t safe in India (of course our lives aren’t as valuable as their).
The prudent terrorist knew that they could ransack India by targeting the two hot spots of Mumbai. How many of us were worried about the victims of Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus? Only high profile lives of victims matter here…that’s why when the BMW owners understood the truth that their high profiles doesn’t offer them immunity, they have shown activism in the protest of terrorism.
But all is well is end is well…no matter what the reason is the truth is at the end of the day, ‘civic power’ prevailed.
Resignation of Home minister Shivraj Patil by accepting the moral responsibility for the attack.
Resignation of Bilas Rao Desmukh.
India has seen public outrage from every section of the society.
We have seen Pranab Mukherjee in action like never before.
NIA & UAPA bills which aim to make laws on terror tougher were passed by the Lok Sabha on December 17.
India is might be on the way to declare war against Pakistan.
Serial bomb blasts in Jaipur, Bangalore, Delhi, Assam left a sizeable number of people dead in 2008. According to data, terrorist violence has claimed 20,000 lives in India since 1998. But it seems that our government doesn’t believe in numbers, that’s why only the people victimized in Taj or Oberoi hotel worked as an eye opener for them. Only the attack in South Mumbai was severe enough for the bureaucracy to realize that they are supposed to be responsible (morally or practically) for all these terrorism whether regional or international spreading through out the nation. My question is why so? What if the terrorists wouldn’t target the elite groups in Mumbai? I guess we all know the answer…the lives of aam admi wouldn’t be enough for the government to open their eyes. We need page 3 people to compel the politicians to take responsibility for a mishap. We have seen unforgettable public outrage in Mumbai attack which was missing in the last devastating attacks that took place in the country. This time the elites has realized that even they aren’t safe in India (of course our lives aren’t as valuable as their).
The prudent terrorist knew that they could ransack India by targeting the two hot spots of Mumbai. How many of us were worried about the victims of Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus? Only high profile lives of victims matter here…that’s why when the BMW owners understood the truth that their high profiles doesn’t offer them immunity, they have shown activism in the protest of terrorism.
But all is well is end is well…no matter what the reason is the truth is at the end of the day, ‘civic power’ prevailed.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
'Raj' ko pakadna mushkil hi nahi na mumkin hai!
After a long time last night fortunately my friend had the time & volition to take me out for a movie. Both of us are SRK fans, so without any hesitation we grabbed two tickets of Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi. I basically had two intentions to watch the film: firstly, after month long declining sensex , rising inflation rate & all devouring terrorism I was craving for a relief & secondly, few days ago I was slothfully surfing through the TV channels & then a news featuring on the channel Zoom, caught my eyes which was saying that if sources to be believed Aditya Chopra has made this new romantic flick to break the image of Raj of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge…from then I was feeling the urge to see RNBDJ.
The film started, I would say in a little hatke manner. You wonder why? Well because in every Yash Raj movie, the first entry of Shahrukh is some thing to watch out for, we all know that. But this film was a ‘trend breaker’ in this matter. The film is like any other boy meets girl story with a touch of over the top melodrama. I would say one word for the film i.e. ‘predictable’!
Don’t worry, I’m not going to bore you with the review of RNBDJ (why do I? I won’t be paid for that!). But I just want to pen down my opinion regarding few matters which are flouncing inside my brain.
Firstly, how far the film was able to compete with earlier Adi chopra’s historical love story? I would say the film was no way a bit close to the script of DDLJ…the innocence; freshness we witnessed in the script of SRK’s blockbuster was totally absent in RNBDJ. The new Yash Raj flick is a well proven masala mix to lure audience but the weakness of the script was explicit enough.
Secondly, Tujhe dekha to yeh jana sanam or Ruk ja o dil deewane or Mehendi laga ke rakhna is still leave us spell bound. Compare to that Salim sulaiman’s music is in one word: ‘despondent’. In fact the song ‘Phir milenge chalte chalte’ is like the extended part of ‘Dum ta na’ of Om Shanti Om…both pays tribute to legendary bollywood actors! By the time, undoubtedly Shahrukh has excelled in the art of mimicry for sure…
Thirdly, Raj & Simran was the legendary love bird made in Bollywood till date where as on the contrary RNBDJ is a way too far to even touch the elevation they made. Age difference between the 40+ superstar & 19+ fresher is awkwardly clear enough. The charm of friendship between Shahrukh & Kajol somewhere overshadows the clichéd & confusing relationship of Surinder & Tani.
Fourthly, the heroine of the film Anushka Sharma is surely not worth a watch! Her dialogue delivery, expression, body language could not match up to the level created by spontaneous, candid Kajol aka Simran in DDLJ. It would be unfair to both of the ladies to compare them with each other.
Fifthly, here comes the most important factor…how far Shahrukh was successful to destroy his dashy lover boy image Raj…well, overall in RNBDJ King Khan was near to believable as a common man Surinder Sahni of Punjab Power! His body language has been changed with the attire of the character swiftly but some smell of illogicality arouse with the character of Raj…the person who can’t speak his heart out how can he become so over expressive in the form of Raj? But we, as audience of ‘Yash Raj movie’ were intelligent enough to adjust with such small tread mark unreasonableness! But on the whole Surinder was not competent enough to compete with Raj. I agree love is not all about PDA (public display of affection)…but an amount of expression is mandatory in every relationship. The playboy & romantic image of Raj was captivating enough to make the young girls suffer from insomnia till date. I won’t disagree that at one point of time even I longed for a guy like Raj in my life! That was the charm & charisma we have seen eight years ago in Bollywood…but I, as a fan of SRK, as a love-lorn of Raj was a bit dishearten! But it doesn’t mean I love to watch films with heroes of larger than life…but in a stereo typical romantic film some amount of depth & passion is required to be manifested on screen. You can’t create an ordinary & simple love story on screen with the biggest superstar of the nation which has an amateur heroine along with bollywoody melodrama. More over the truth is, the paw of age is now clearly visible on Shahrukh…in this stage he is more convincible as the coach of the woman’s Hockey team instead of the bechara husband who join dance class to woo her lady love. His contemporary Amir Khan is clever enough to switch on to the image of ‘Character Actor’ from typical ‘Romantic hero’.
That’s enough for today, enough criticism of SRK…I’m signing off for now…hum hai rahi pyar ke, phir milenge, chalte chalte! Cheers!
The film started, I would say in a little hatke manner. You wonder why? Well because in every Yash Raj movie, the first entry of Shahrukh is some thing to watch out for, we all know that. But this film was a ‘trend breaker’ in this matter. The film is like any other boy meets girl story with a touch of over the top melodrama. I would say one word for the film i.e. ‘predictable’!
Don’t worry, I’m not going to bore you with the review of RNBDJ (why do I? I won’t be paid for that!). But I just want to pen down my opinion regarding few matters which are flouncing inside my brain.
Firstly, how far the film was able to compete with earlier Adi chopra’s historical love story? I would say the film was no way a bit close to the script of DDLJ…the innocence; freshness we witnessed in the script of SRK’s blockbuster was totally absent in RNBDJ. The new Yash Raj flick is a well proven masala mix to lure audience but the weakness of the script was explicit enough.
Secondly, Tujhe dekha to yeh jana sanam or Ruk ja o dil deewane or Mehendi laga ke rakhna is still leave us spell bound. Compare to that Salim sulaiman’s music is in one word: ‘despondent’. In fact the song ‘Phir milenge chalte chalte’ is like the extended part of ‘Dum ta na’ of Om Shanti Om…both pays tribute to legendary bollywood actors! By the time, undoubtedly Shahrukh has excelled in the art of mimicry for sure…
Thirdly, Raj & Simran was the legendary love bird made in Bollywood till date where as on the contrary RNBDJ is a way too far to even touch the elevation they made. Age difference between the 40+ superstar & 19+ fresher is awkwardly clear enough. The charm of friendship between Shahrukh & Kajol somewhere overshadows the clichéd & confusing relationship of Surinder & Tani.
Fourthly, the heroine of the film Anushka Sharma is surely not worth a watch! Her dialogue delivery, expression, body language could not match up to the level created by spontaneous, candid Kajol aka Simran in DDLJ. It would be unfair to both of the ladies to compare them with each other.
Fifthly, here comes the most important factor…how far Shahrukh was successful to destroy his dashy lover boy image Raj…well, overall in RNBDJ King Khan was near to believable as a common man Surinder Sahni of Punjab Power! His body language has been changed with the attire of the character swiftly but some smell of illogicality arouse with the character of Raj…the person who can’t speak his heart out how can he become so over expressive in the form of Raj? But we, as audience of ‘Yash Raj movie’ were intelligent enough to adjust with such small tread mark unreasonableness! But on the whole Surinder was not competent enough to compete with Raj. I agree love is not all about PDA (public display of affection)…but an amount of expression is mandatory in every relationship. The playboy & romantic image of Raj was captivating enough to make the young girls suffer from insomnia till date. I won’t disagree that at one point of time even I longed for a guy like Raj in my life! That was the charm & charisma we have seen eight years ago in Bollywood…but I, as a fan of SRK, as a love-lorn of Raj was a bit dishearten! But it doesn’t mean I love to watch films with heroes of larger than life…but in a stereo typical romantic film some amount of depth & passion is required to be manifested on screen. You can’t create an ordinary & simple love story on screen with the biggest superstar of the nation which has an amateur heroine along with bollywoody melodrama. More over the truth is, the paw of age is now clearly visible on Shahrukh…in this stage he is more convincible as the coach of the woman’s Hockey team instead of the bechara husband who join dance class to woo her lady love. His contemporary Amir Khan is clever enough to switch on to the image of ‘Character Actor’ from typical ‘Romantic hero’.
That’s enough for today, enough criticism of SRK…I’m signing off for now…hum hai rahi pyar ke, phir milenge, chalte chalte! Cheers!
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Dubious development
‘Krishi amader bhitti, shilpo amader bhobissot’ (Agriculture is our base & Industry is our future) – the CPI-M led west Bengal state government is said to be run by this motto. In recent Singur melodrama, we have seen the concern of state government for industrial development. If that was to be believed then why they are now contradicting their stand on the shut down of Dunlop Sahaganj factory? The factory had to close down since the automobile companies feeling the heat of global melt down worldwide; the demand of tyres has gone down sharply. The owner Pawan Kumar Ruia is now expecting the grant of loan or capital intensive from state government to boost up the moribund Dunlop factory, which is arguably one of the largest tyre producing factories of India.
It’s obvious that the WB state government isn’t in a condition to finance every other emaciated factory of the state. But Buddhadeb Bhattacharya, the ‘sanskriti manoshko’ (cultural) CM of India can spend profuse money on International Film Festival every year but when it comes to the future of over 1200 workers, his government makes hue & cry over limited finance! Cultural interaction is necessary, but he should now realize that hunger-stricken mind can’t relish a good movie. If the government won’t be able to grant the capital required for the reopening of Dunlop factory, it should at least be involve in effective discussion with Ruia to sort out the problem. Every other progressive Bengalis has lend their support with Buddhadeb led government in latest Singur incident but if situation continues this way in Sahaganj, its evident that CPI-M might lose public support in coming Elections.
Every other state criticizes the political frivolity of Bengal these days. If members of left parties say Mamata Banerjee’s demand on the land of Singur is ‘Farcical’ then Trinamul leader says Dunlop is another example of Buddhadeb Bhattacharya’s ‘Incompetence’! And the blame game continues.
Throbbing factories, Bandh culture, viscous political condition – these now has become synonymous with West Bengal. In spite of that, we know at present there is no other leader except Mr. Bhattacharya to fit the chair of CM. But if he could be able to devote at least half of the impetus he usually spends on IT industry, Films or Kolkata Book fair; on the overall development of the state, then it will be a different picture altogether.
It’s obvious that the WB state government isn’t in a condition to finance every other emaciated factory of the state. But Buddhadeb Bhattacharya, the ‘sanskriti manoshko’ (cultural) CM of India can spend profuse money on International Film Festival every year but when it comes to the future of over 1200 workers, his government makes hue & cry over limited finance! Cultural interaction is necessary, but he should now realize that hunger-stricken mind can’t relish a good movie. If the government won’t be able to grant the capital required for the reopening of Dunlop factory, it should at least be involve in effective discussion with Ruia to sort out the problem. Every other progressive Bengalis has lend their support with Buddhadeb led government in latest Singur incident but if situation continues this way in Sahaganj, its evident that CPI-M might lose public support in coming Elections.
Every other state criticizes the political frivolity of Bengal these days. If members of left parties say Mamata Banerjee’s demand on the land of Singur is ‘Farcical’ then Trinamul leader says Dunlop is another example of Buddhadeb Bhattacharya’s ‘Incompetence’! And the blame game continues.
Throbbing factories, Bandh culture, viscous political condition – these now has become synonymous with West Bengal. In spite of that, we know at present there is no other leader except Mr. Bhattacharya to fit the chair of CM. But if he could be able to devote at least half of the impetus he usually spends on IT industry, Films or Kolkata Book fair; on the overall development of the state, then it will be a different picture altogether.
Monday, December 8, 2008
succession of ingratitude
Such rage & apathy among civilians against political corruptions, India have seen never before. Every discussion programmes in news channels, editorial columns of newspapers...all are still crammed with peoples' agitation against political leaders. Wrath against our political system, gratitude for our military force, compassion for the victims, abhorrence for Pakistan's' foster children...we are done with all. But somehow forgot to thank 'Media' for the stupendous duty it served. In these days I came across many people who thinks media popularized the crime for its own business motive. Being a student of mass communication, I wont disagree that media do negatively popularize few things for TRP or circulation...but isn't it unreasonable to blame them? Can you utter in keeping with the dictates of your conscience that your profession isn't corrupted? Naturally media industry is also run by business motive...but all the people who loves to be indulge in criticism should remember that journalists at least do something for the country, although run by business motive but its still a public service medium.
I have seen quite a few blogs in the last few days which says that our children's innocence is decomposed by media during these terror attacks... I wanna know in which way does media sensationalised the whole dreadful drama? How many of you have an idea about the effort journalists had to put in to wrung out the real story in front of you? You glutted the reality media brought out into your TV set or in your morning newspaper, but after the curtain dropped you started to censure the same complying people for the service they provided. How many people raised their voice when the wise & frugal (who arranged his vacation in abroad from the fund i.e allotted for sports development) Sports minister Subhas Chakroborty abused media? How many people criticised the security guards & West Bengal police when journalists were beaten by them at Indira Bhaban? The people who point their finger at the credibility of media, should realise that working in this profession isn't a cake walk...channels & newspapers of the world over were presented in Mumbai along with the military force & police through out the ordeal...its because of them we got to know about our unfortunate near & dear ones who were victimized in Mumbai. Is it equitable to blame media for every other thing you come across? Don't recriminate media,if you cant give eulogy of which it is worthy.
I have seen quite a few blogs in the last few days which says that our children's innocence is decomposed by media during these terror attacks... I wanna know in which way does media sensationalised the whole dreadful drama? How many of you have an idea about the effort journalists had to put in to wrung out the real story in front of you? You glutted the reality media brought out into your TV set or in your morning newspaper, but after the curtain dropped you started to censure the same complying people for the service they provided. How many people raised their voice when the wise & frugal (who arranged his vacation in abroad from the fund i.e allotted for sports development) Sports minister Subhas Chakroborty abused media? How many people criticised the security guards & West Bengal police when journalists were beaten by them at Indira Bhaban? The people who point their finger at the credibility of media, should realise that working in this profession isn't a cake walk...channels & newspapers of the world over were presented in Mumbai along with the military force & police through out the ordeal...its because of them we got to know about our unfortunate near & dear ones who were victimized in Mumbai. Is it equitable to blame media for every other thing you come across? Don't recriminate media,if you cant give eulogy of which it is worthy.
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