The Great Indian Oscar mad rush!

The movie is indeed, as ARR mentioned in his acceptance speech, about optimism, hope and choices. While giving due credit to the makers of the movie, the entire crew and cast; beyond any shade of doubt ,there have been better movies made by compatriots on similar theme. And to a large extent the global attention that the movie continues to receive has been for the fact that a very English director has been at the helm of the affairs.

The movie is a thrilling roller coaster ride ;leaving no room for thoughts and sucks one into the lives of its characters at a breathtaking pace. I have always been of the opinion that we Indians almost always look to the West for appreciation or a pat on the back and this fixation sometimes does go over board.

Let’s not be quick in criticizing Danny Boyle. He ,like ,everyone else has every right to make a film on any topic he fancies and present it as he interprets it. Movie making is a painstaking effort and it would be ridiculous to say that Mr. Danny’s hidden agenda is to tarnish India’s image; contrasted to our aspirtaions to be the emerging super power.If he has undertaken to make a movie, adapation of a novel ,which showcases the underbelly of our country in a manner that discredits and shames us Indians, it really is not his problem. Nor should it concern him. He simply is taking creative liberty.

And ,let’s not forget that the novel itself is by an Indian -India's deputy high commissioner to SA. A diplomat that he is, has acknowledged in his book something that exists and prevails under the shadows our nation’s great economic divide. If anything it calls for our countrymen to take a closer look at ourselves and around us.

Looking at the big picture I can only think that we should take into count opinions of learned people. People who are ignorant enough to accept the make believe machinery of negative media publicity associated with this movie and who choose to see poverty, paedophiles, begging, slums and other pessimism arousing factors as a nation's wholesomeness , do their opinion actually matter?

As Vikas Swarup stated in this interview that, “Indians are taking it personally” is very apt. It is about us; and yes it pains!!!! Pains us that our Oscar dreams had to materialise in this fashion, where the unpleasantness is out in the open and for all to see , making light of  our attempts to shove it under the carpet as always.

If we are seeking international recognition; with the bouquets comes the brick bats, and it should be accepted in the right spirit. That the think tank behind Oscar panel of judges and their judgement is a different story altogether; which has and will always be debatable.

I must confess I am not a fan of the movie. It’s a good watch and has an underlying message that appealed to my sensibilities. But it’s a matter of pride to me that Resul Pookutty,ARR and every Indian associated with the movie very well deserve the acclaim and their achievement seals the fact that we have world class abilities in all aspects of film making and what better way to show it to the world. This isn’t time to indulge in criticising and indulge in mud slinging no matter what’s the campaign of a select few behind tainting our nation’s image if so be thought. Let’s just make the right choice of celebrating the success of our people.

Toast be raised to them!!!