I had come across this article, by chance. This movie speaks a lot about the current situation in India, though many would not agree with me. If you go in interiors, am sure you ll definitly find such cases. I have alot of respect for directors like Ritwik Ghatak, Satyajit Ray, Akira Kurosawa and many more for one reason - from time to time when we look back at those movies it actually shows how was it then and where do we stand now. It is almost like making a dramatised documentary film. That era with respect to media as a power was different. But now i would say that, the world has shrunk with the help of television and internet. These genre movies can now be accessed from anywhere, but how far has this been able to play a major role in helping those people who are actually suffering. Even if there is awareness, its being wrongly used by the people itself (with the influence of politics of course). I think even though we have such a powerfull weapon in hand, it is not being used, up to the mark. Discussing it online and getting to know the opinion of the people is a good thought but i ask, how many of them have access and know how to use this powerfull medium.
Films like these do not contribute anyway to country's progress in anyway.And why the hell these so called Off beat directors take up only controversial subjects. If they really want to help people suffering , they can do so by visiting their places and offering help.Its a known fact that these films are made only for sake of awards and nothing much !!!..And now a Book on this !!!...just to cash in on the publicity this film has created ....These books or films, in anyway , are not going to help the cause of the concerned.
RE:What purpose is it going to serve ?
by bipin doshi on Feb 23, 2007 03:34 PM
It is because of regressive people like Mr Banakar that these "controversial" issues remain under wraps. And unless media highlights these plights, in the way they know how to, the affected won't receive any help. It's something that, silly-commercial-movies-loving-regressive Mr Banakar might find hard to understand.
water flows every where, it doesn't know boundries, the mother earth gives to every one eequaly, but over people trying to stop that flow. All these kind of protests are because of the dirty politicians, they provoke vulnarable people in to these kind of acts. Our Great country going towards split... just because of these politicians, look at all parts of India, for water again people are fighting, they are not willing to give to the needy, but they will waste lots and lots of water.... at present what a silly thing os going on in Karnataka.
After, Water nominated for Oscars, indians are claiming it as their movie, especialy indian media, Ms. Deepa Mehta , do not allow this, Canada have the rights on this movie. Yes happy that you are an Indian, But indian s did not help you to make this great movie.
It is a shame that a democratic ountry like ours doesnt allow freedom of expression. It is good that Water was finally successfully shot abroad and is now garnering good reviews. It is also good that Deepa's daughter is selling books on "Water experience". It would be good if some part of their monetary gains goes to these poor widows of Varanasi, whose story and experiences they sold and made big moolah. Until then, they dont have any right to criticise the protestors etc because Deepa and her daughter have done nothing further other than showing India in poor light. The widows in Varanasi continue to suffer...
RE:What Next?
by Babu Behari on Feb 27, 2007 02:47 AM
It is hard to seperate your attitude towards the movie makers and your sympathies with the protesters. It is quite predictable that one has to follow the other. Before judging others of what they ought to do with their earnings, you and your likes should ask yourselves of the contributions/returns made by your ancestors to this land over 3500 years of exploitation. In my opinion it was nothing more than shameless self-serving appropriation of whatever positives accrued by Indus-Valley(Pre-Vedic) people.
Why do you folks get so insecure? Is is because centuries of mis-information, deception and manipulative inhman theories are being exposed by these artists. By the way the artisits have done a favor to the country by bringing its attention to the plight of its own citizens. This is only one issue(tip of the iceberg) and imagine if million other issues are exposed along with the forces responsible for it.
GR8 work done..... and rightly said "We were fighting for freedom of expression in a country that called itself the world's largest democracy." some people still dont want india's progress,by putting hindrance to other peoples' work.. WHY??
india should grow up not only financially,but also peoples mind should grow...
RE:KUDOS to DEEPA MEHTA and the CREW
by SHAILENDRA KUMAR RAI on Feb 23, 2007 02:58 PM
Hey Navneet I think u don't have that much maturity to decide which is bad and which is good, Or u don't know the meaning of GR8
RE:RE:KUDOS to DEEPA MEHTA and the CREW
by ninja on Feb 23, 2007 10:09 PM
Can any one clear my dilemma!
Is freedom of expression is right? I strongly believe someone should not be stopped from expressing their feelings. But if it is hurting so many people's opinion and their beliefs, Is freedom of expression is justifiable? Even if we people are opposing with their blind customs? If somebody feels good by expressing something, the act of expressing something pleases only few people but hurting many others. I think many incidents shot in this movie are not happening now in india. We should show other countries our greatness but should not concentrate on old customs. This kind of movies will give bad impression about our country. Many directors choose subjects with which they become overnight stars. you cannot compare all directors with satyajith ray.
RE:RE:RE:KUDOS to DEEPA MEHTA and the CREW
by s b on Feb 23, 2007 11:05 PM
Have you seen the movie? One of the best I have seen. And it did not make me ashamed of my country. There are lots of good and bad things about my country, just like in any country!
I don't feel defensive about my country, I don't feel I have to explain everything to everyone who asks me about my country. We have glorious past and great future, and yes we have caste system and social and cultural issues - like any other country.
This should not stop us from watching and producing movies about our issues. Are you jerks saying that all countries should stop making movies about their issues because others will feel bad about it? So India should not have made any movies showing Amitabh as poor or Balraj Sahni as dalit or Rekha as prostitute? There goes half of your movie industry! I know, you want to see those slick movies which are light years away from reality where a thief sandboards and steals jewels from trains in Tanzania...right on!
RE:RE:RE:RE:KUDOS to DEEPA MEHTA and the CREW
by Jo on Mar 10, 2007 03:52 AM
yaaa s b u r right. its really a great movie. i never saw any vulgarity or anything wrong in the movie. its a wonderful job. shame on those who criticize such movies. this proves that we indians are hippocrats. atleast watch the movie once before criticizing it. and on the first hand if u really hate this movie so much. why did you come to this section and read the article. bloody hippocrats!!!
Honestly, does anyone give a crap about this book??? I mean, who really cares what kinda emotional problems the mother and daughter have, even though the mother is a popular director. Instead of capitalizing on your mother's success (Water is a big it in north america), please do something on your own.
RE:What a marketing farce!!!
by Abhishek on Feb 23, 2007 01:33 PM
There are creative directors who make movies and entertain us and ppl rush to watch movies like hum aapke hain kaun and there are directors who make movies based on technology and which enlighten our mind and ppl rush to watch movies like jurassic park..and there are directors who cant do anything better so they choose controversial topics and generate enough debate in order to make their project visible and ppl rush to watch girlfriend, ek choti si love story, fire,sin and water...(some ppl may not like to c water and girlfriend in the same category ).once a reporter asked a popular director "y u show so much sex and violence in ur movies?the derector replied this is wat the JUNTA demands...the same reporter asked the same question to satyajit ray and he said "it is not imp wat the public is demanding the imp thing is wat we are giving to the public"...
RE:RE:What a marketing farce!!!
by SHAILENDRA KUMAR RAI on Feb 23, 2007 02:32 PM
Abhishek ! What u are telling is correct. If u will see history of these directors then u will find they are accustum to take these types of controversial topics only. In reality they want to become soft target of people so that they can earn money and name both, But they can't dare to make films on controversials subjects other than Hindu's.
RE:RE:RE:What a marketing farce!!!
by s b on Feb 23, 2007 11:12 PM
Rai, you are not seeing the big picture here. We have a lot of movies about muslims too! and yes, whenever we make those movies, muslims in general protest too. However, does it mean everybody should act like fundamentalist? Here is a scenario - lets say we make a movie about muslim societal problems, lets say divorce. Muslims protest - what will your reaction be - these bloody fundamentalists, right? So, why do you repeat their behaviour? Isn't India progressing because of our open ideas and tolerence. You cannot pick and chose - if you want a taliban style hinduism, you will have taliban style country - not a country that is developing!
By the way, a movie was made on the said subject and it was called Nikaah.
RE:RE:What a marketing farce!!!
by s b on Feb 23, 2007 11:24 PM
Wow...you like movies like Hum aapke hain kaun and Jurassic Park. Are you uggesting directors like Nair, Sen, Ray and Nihalani should now make movies to cater to 16 yr olds?
Does your dad like the movies you like? I doubt (unless he has infantile tendencies)! So who will make movies for him? Or more mature people like me.
My basic question is, if this is a free country, who are you to tell me what i should watch? Do I tell to what burger to eat and what watch to wear or what car to drive (of course that will be after few years when you get the license after you turn 21)? You can like Hum aapke and I can watch water, right? Your kind are in millions so the producer gets lot of money, and my kind are few, so Dipa makes $3.50, isn't it good enough punishment?
Guys think seriously - Mr. Abhishek thinks Water makes us look bad in foreign countries. Hmmm...I have seen foreigners watch Hum aapke and other cliched 3 hr tortures, and they came out laughing! Do Indians start dancing everytime they fall in love? Do you always have arranged marriage? How do twins seperate and find each other in a country of billion people.
Here is the ANSWER: nobody in this board cares about what foreigners think about our movies (when watching stupid Salman movies). They suddenly ecome patriotic when a movie like water comes. This is a surprising phenominon since most have not watched the movie! The reason is it is not about the country, some brainwashed religio-faggots like to make a procession and throw stones. Just like rioters who do not know their issue but will go out in street and loot and burn. nd they come in all colors, muslims hindus and chritians too.
