I was watching SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE the other night in a theater 3/4ths filled with Americans.
Its a rags to riches tale of young man who is the 'slumdog' of the movie who goes on to win more than million rupees in the show only to raise doubts on his ability to answer as he never had any proper education.
What's gripping about the movie is the screenplay and how tightly coupled the movie is. It keeps you engaged till the end and the riveting performances only add to the flavor.Its got some very good ratings and wonderful reviews from all the 'critics'.
But then, I am not entirely convinced at some of the scenes and dialogues of the movies. The movies starts with lives of slum dwellers in mumbai depicting them extremely close to reality or maybe even beyond reality. The scenes would have been great if the whole movie was a depiction of a slum-dweller's life. But the movie gradually switches its tone and becomes more of a love story which questions the purpose of these scenes.
I have serious objection to one of the scenes. In this scene, the kid takes an american couple who drive a BENZ to some sight-seeing.This was a setup by the kid, so that his friends loot the car. And now the couple along with their driver return only to find that the whole car was looted (including the tyres), with the body of car resting on a pile of bricks. At this point, the driver just hammers the boy while the american couple stop him. Then the kid says 'You wanted to see real INDIA, here it is..' and the lady replies 'Son, I will show you what real AMERICA is..' and hands him over some money. Can anyone explain to me what the director or the writer is trying to say here. Is he saying, if you steal a car in AMERICA, the car owner will give you some money saying 'this is REAL America'.
Ok the movie is good. Ok The technical values are perfect. Ok the performances are good. Ok it has great reviews. Alright it has a gripping screenplay. But what's with CRIBBING about the country.
I am what 24 years old now..and throughout my life i have learnt 'There is no short cut to success'. I bet there is. You want to know how? Read on..
You are a budding photographer? Capture a photo of a beggar who is 4 years old or even simple get a panoramic view of a big slum in INDIA...You will be famous.
You are a budding movie director? Create a video scolding the system, something like politicians doing nothing but blocking the traffic to let their motorcade go, something like policemen taking bribe and laughing, while a 6 year old kid toils hard in a mechanic shop in the background and earns 5 rupees. You will be critically acclaimed.
You are a budding artist?..Draw a wonderful painting. Divide the canvas into four quadrants. Draw the Indian map in the middle making sure atleast some part of the quadrant is covered by INDIAN map. Now in the first quadrant, draw the life of slum dweller including a big picture of slum, with ppl begging and stealing and getting into prostitution. In the second quadrant draw a picture of big industries and in the foreground depict as if, industrialization is possible only through bribe. In the third quadrant, draw a heavily packed train with ppl above, inside and under it, depicting POPULATION pulls this country down. And in the fourth quadrant, draw parliament house and a group of politicians and somehow depict INDIA is what it is, only because of POLITICIANS. And BEHOLD, you will be FAMOUS.
You are a budding lyricist?.. Write an amazing song scolding the system left, right and center. You might as well hear reviews of your song on the lines of 'The writer has taken such subtle care of touching even the minute problems that this country faces today that his effort has to be appreciated'.
Whatever field you are in, just try (honestly) scolding the system and blaming the system. I bet you will be famous.
Frankly guys, I am so frustrated with all the cribbing. There are tons of videos on youtube which shows children are not provided proper education, but then wat does one gain with such a video?
I am not trying to make any point here. I am not saying 'Be the change you want to see'. I am just saying atleast Dont talk the change , you want to see when you cant 'do' anything about it. Well, both sentences mean almost the same. Do they? Just read them again and you should find a simple difference.
6 comments:
there is really something different in the way u pen ... keep going its really good thought...
omg!! Dessy the activist!! lol!!
ha ha ha
ok lite..
u got lots of creativity, ure goin 2 b critically acclaimed pretty soon!!
where did u get that idea of dividing the canvas into quadrants!!
maaan!! ha ha ha
start writing for some comedy show!!
seriously..
yes, it's a good screenplay..
may be for indian audience, it is very hard to accept the real color of the characters (speaking english in ultimate american accent).
A good try by the crew to attract the american audience...anyone can try something like showing the bad part of their country (i remember some anadhai ashram shooting the video of poor children's/ old ppl to get charity.. the more miserable they show the more charity they get).
nice thought man!! since the majority dominates,the good one is being hided by bads. Many of those in the golden quadrant wants to fly off from others which makes it much worse :)
Good work Dessy...The state of India is the same as u commented from many years.But on the contrary I could see some Change in the people after the recent Mumbai Attacks.Yesterday night was watching one show "Shraddhanjali" in NDTV remembering those Martyrs who gave away their lives.The question that was posed by the Interviewer to the Audience was that : Actually till when do we remember these incidents and those brave soldiers? Then everyone said it will be remembered forever but then he quoted that this was the samething what people told even after Kargil but forgot everything.Changing lives of some people...helping someone... doesn't help much.The point u made is absolutely correct.Education is the keen issue here.People fight about Banning Child Labour.But ultimately the solution is not abolishing Child Labour but after making those kids not to work they should be provided with some real futuristic help like Education.This is the Change that people talk about but noone works towards that.As you told they simply say that Change is what India needs.But when it comes to work towards Change taking sometime out of your daily work is what people are unable to afford. But if you conduct a Debate about that Change then everyone would be a great Orators.As US was in a better position than India from longtime we started to presume that their lives are better than we do but actually to a certain extent it's not.Even they also have innumerable problems which are never shown in picture but only the Technology and Luxurious Life is what everyone see.Actual reality is the way you see things and the Change you bring. Ultimately you need not give speeches nor stand in Elections to become a Leader and say that we will then bring that Change.All curse and speak bad about our Politicians,ofcourse to certain extent they need to be criticized but at the same time if anyone offers you any position in Politics noone comes forward but instead they simply say this is dirty Politics and eveyone knows that it is.You should go into it and bring about the Change which noone foresee.India hasn't become that bad nor worse what people talk or say but the only problem is that India lacking a Real Leader.Lastly I would conclude saying that bringing the Change is very Simple.Whatever field you are in just do your Work perfectly and completely.So if every citizen does the same an autowala takes his passengers only on Meter,a traffic constable gives you receipt without taking bribe,a minister lays roads spending every single penny he got from the Govt,a S/W Engineer finishes his tasks as scheduled,a restaurant offers food with high quality,a driver does his job following certain rules of traffic,a teacher provides right knowledge for the students etc., then definitely noone needs to poke his finger towards someone when everyone's perfect.And if you start working from today then even though it takes enourmous amount of time atleast our coming Generations can benefit out of that.Lets Hope that it comes....
A little too late, is much too late. But cant help it right now. Dude dint know u were good @ this.. really awesome write up.. i just loved reading it ;) tusi great ho Dessy..!!
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