I completely disagree with the views of the author. If the intention of this article is to popularise 'Slumdog millionaire' or otherwise then its a different story. But I am sure that the former ambassdor would have seen other movies potraying India in not such good light, but as always everyone joins the crowd when you can hog limelight. Rewind to the movie 'Kaante' -multistarrer, shows Indians in US as hooligans but US police do their duty to their life. What I want to say here is that consider it as a movie and dont garner more publicity by demeaning others hard work. Who knows T P Sreenivasan before he criticised 'S. Millionaire'. Ha.
I think the author of the above article being high profile is out of sync with the practical India. He is narrow minded, racist and leaving in a fantasy world. He should come and see how corrupt the cops are and how rudely they torture, harass and exploit the poor and middle class people. A beautful movie like 'blood diamond' also showed the anarchy, chaos, poverty and civil war in africa but no one complained as it was splendid. But now when some hard hitting facts about India are being shown to the world, indians feel insulted. This is just to prove how hypocratic we Indians are. If this movie was made by an Indian director like Subash Ghai, we would all be licking his feet in praise by now. It is not rocket science to know how corrupt and brutal cops are in third world countries are because of basic lack of human rights. The author should do a reality check before condemning such movies with his silly and racial views which will make no impact on the appreciation that the film has already garnered in the world
Hey how about you go back watch a bollywood movie with beautiful looking couple wearing designer clothes that no Indian would wear and go dancing with kangaroos in Australia, and then in the pastures of new Zealand, and around Wind mill farms in Norway. That presents a more realistic picture of India doesnt it? Go back and enjoy your bollywood movie, it may make you feel better.
Re: You should watch more 'realistic' movies
by Chaturchuramoni Chatterjee on Feb 19, 2009 01:20 PM
Why only the negative side, we have a positive side also.
Think of all the scientific successes like Chandrayaan?
This guy so lacks in analysis and perspective; and wow such a high profile offical. danny boyle portraying reality doesnt shame me, but yeh, such stutltified guys representing india in international arena makes me cringe.
and he is gonna advise heads of state on security... with such guys teeming in our administration, mumbai blasts and other horrors are but inevitable
Slumdog Millionaire does not exploit india. The fact that this movie urges people of all backgrounds to voice their opinion is reason enough to believe that at least most of what was shown in the movie was thought provoking. For those who say the movie shows india in poor light or that india is being exploited - I do not understand your side of the arguement. Not one bit shown in the movie was out of sync with reality. This is a story that can happen anywhere in the world. Including all the richer eurpoean nations and the US. Where did you all go when "Salaam Bombay" was made? Or is it the British director and crew that puts you into shame? Give them the due credit. They spent close to 3 months to understand everybit about the life of a slum dweller and pictured it AS-IS. If you see this movie in a plush theatre in a cosmopolitan city wondering why you are incapable of doing anything - or if you either feel embarassed seeing this movie in a foreign country with your friends or worst of all - if you are feeling guilty due to any of the many reasons stated above or any new reason of your own - ITS YOUR PROBLEM. Not the movie's. It was a well made movie. Period.
Re: T P Sreenivasan - you are just feeling guilty.
by J B on Feb 19, 2009 12:47 AM
Some people are realistic, they know their problems, they know their weaknesses and they try to do something about it, and they are bold and confident enough to accept the truth the way it is
Some people instead like to live in fantasy, forget the real situation, do nothing about the problems, and act as if nothing is wrong. They feel insecure and offended when someone exposes the truth the way it is because it wakes them up from their fantasy dream.
Sadly there are many such people in India which is the reason why people are just too proud of little things and live in fantasy world while big problems are ignored. When truth is shown to them they'd rather try to hide the truth than wake up to reality.
The bollywood movies are a testimony to this attitude. The leading stars are usually rich, dance sequences are in exotic beautiful locations...etc...none of which show any reality but keeps people in fantasy world
Re: We are looking for real talents
by Darshana Kalyanaraman on Feb 19, 2009 01:16 PM
Daniela, this is a news site, not a site for prostitution. Please take your advertisements somewhere else. Maybe back to Czech Republic.
