Any movie appreciated outside our country is a very good reason for us to be proud anytime, rather than a person being appreciated for her beauty. Its her individual and families accomplishment than a country.
I am surprised by the amount of ignorance in our country. And the way people dont even care outside the Bollywood dramabaazi. I feel sad for the people who do not appreciate movies and movie making for the art it is. Dear friends you would be more entertained and happy if you watch a good movie with people acting as a character of substance instead of seeing a nude woman doing a cabaret on a dance floor. Bollywood is crap.. Hindi movies suck. It is amazing how people are ever ready to criticize someone who is trying to create some awareness in them through knowledge of whats actually happening outside in the good movie scenario. Life for a middleclass Indian would be better if you also learn to enjoy what other cultures have to offer, and if not learn from it, appreciate it instead of sticking to the Hollywood bakwaas (except for a select few).
I am not here to share my thoughts about the issue or any other thing. I just noticed that you have developed this *bad* feeling for bollywood cinema. I accept that Malayalam film industry is much ahead of Bollywood in their way of film-making. But that doesnt mean, Bollywood cant make good films. It is known that the whole world is appreciating Bollywood films. So, as a matter of fact, you should state that Bollywood is an expert at making family oriented movies -- Yep, Precisely that is the reason! And why is it so? - Indian society mainly constitutes of families -- joint ones too, which is not common in the West. Itz so simple. Be a Roman in Rome. I would appreciate if you can tell me (from your so-called extensive compilation for your article) how much percentage of Hollywood movies that become block busters are family-oriented? The reason is simple. Film-making, as a business, should target the largess of the audience. And that is what Bollywood/Hollywood are doing. Bollywood tells the stories in different ways - Like Dil Chahta Hain has a different presentation. But you are talking about different stories altogether. So, your viewpoint is WRONG.
Devdas was a crap movie which didn't deserve in first place to be screened in cannes....it gives wrong view to westerners that indian movies are full of color and songs nothing else...
deepa you did a great job in bringing the facts about cannes movies.. some people who cannaat really understand the concept of cinema, who cannaaat rate or appreciate work, who doesnt know the value of art cinema talk against your point and foolishly support commericialy flicks. some people are think that cinema is just meant for govindas dresses, salmans dances, and someothers cheap quality stunts. this is due to the lak of proper awarness and knowledge in people. i pity those who cannot appreciate real talent.
Please come to an International arena, and watch how much notice 'DevDas' has brought to India. It has brought attention/business to Indian clothes/fashion industry, Jewelery industry.It has increased peoples' interest in Indian music and dance, as a result has brought about increased sales. It has made other countries take notice of Indian women. Thanks to Ms Rai Who is an alround acheiver educationwise and in the professions she has chosen/ Highly desciplined, (Not withstanding the judgement error called Salman Khan)a very photogenic and a highly talented dancer and accomplished actress.By being chosen as a judge at a a acclaimed Film Festival she has brought honor to India. Bottom line is we cannot hide our head in the sand, and think that world does not matter. Because when you set foot in a foreign country, you will realize that Indians do not have the broader understanding of the World's history, cultures, power/money and hierarchy struggles, or politics of the world. This ignorance can endanger the country, it's primary unique religion, and it's culture.People are out to globalize certain religions and are creeping slowly into secular India. Global perspective is highly ne
Thanks for writing about the cinema, which has some meat, Deepa. I wonder why don't you do it more often -talk about movies with weight. Guess it boils down to the media, who boil down, or up to the 'junta'.
Of course, I realise, for majority - Devdas, Gadar, Lagaan, K3G et al are the movies with weight. And I think that's where lies the challenge.
I remember Shyam Benegal mentioning once that entertainment means much more than just having a good time. When a medium offers so much, why not take it forward.
Yet...it doesnt work that way. At least in our land. I recently saw some Korean movies, thanks to Prabhat Chitra Mandal, and was blown by the content - the kind of subjects they dealt with, the technical skills they had were in the hollywood league. In fact, content was even better!
Only, in India...we remain where we are. So, the question is...how do we move ahead? How do we transcend?
I wish we could pick your brains, Deepa to lay a plan no matter if it takes 10 yrs to go thru, to have the movies with weight be appreciated.
Because something is wrong, if Apu Trilogy is an unknown in our country...where Ray is actually dead.
Please don't tell me about 'Schindler's list' and 'One who flew over cuckoo's nest'. These are made in USA,. In US,people have access to good living, great holidays and other entertainment. They can withstand bitter realities.
We all know about all the problems that exist in India. Would you go and marry a struggling widow with three children after you watch a movie about it?
For middle class Indians movies are a great escape from everyday problems. These movies make them forget their daily struggle and everyday problems. Indians visit other countries, see other cultures, see the riches of other parts of the world. These things are not accessible to middle class Indians.
What do you recommend for Indians, in order to escape from heat, dust, corruptin, oppression from the new rich, shortage of daily necessities? Hopefully not recreational drugs? Or fight and kill each other in the name of religion like they do in the Middle East?
In India, it is necessity that people make dazzling movies like 'DevDas' and people watch them, enjoy them. Glory be to dazzling extravagant movies that bring happiness to people and calms them down.May Hindusthan be forever.
