The Social Side of Bollywood

I'm all about the glam and gloss in Hindi films -- trust me, I may sit and oust Karan Johar, but I've seen every single of his OTT films. However, amidst the luster of a Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna and one I Hate Luv Storys lie a few films which make an impact which is far greater. Every so often, when we are lucky enough I believe, we are bestowed with a social film. A director will take it upon himself to make a film that is hard-hitting and honest. Over time, the issues have changed from being more complacent to ones that are more prevalent in time. I for one, have always advocated for such films. You see, the only two things that really sell in India is Cricket and Bollywood. Now, how do you incorporate the murder of the female child into cricket? Can't do it right. So you opt for option two. Desi folks (or most of them) absolutely adore Hindi films and thus, if you can manage to work a burning issue into a film, you can pretty much be sure your message will be noticed, if nothing else.

The first social film that my memory can recall was Deepa Mehta's Shabana Azmi-Nandita Das' Fire. I remember being all of 13 and watching a film about women in love with one another. That was my introduction into the world of homosexuality. I grew up with a pretty liberal mother who believed her children needed to be aware of everything in the world. And thus, despite our rather sheltered upbringing, we were aware of issues that were taboo. From then on, I developed a slight bias to such films. In time, more such films were introduced into the world of Hindi films. But the issues haven't always been related to sex. Yes, we are yet to completely understand and fathom homosexuality in India without mocking them - ahem Karan Johar ala Dostana; you can be sure more films on the gays and lesbians in our country will be made, but our socially aware filmmakers have moved on. It's about political strife, infidelity, education, AIDS, suicide, ragging, violence and even untold secrets of the glamour world. Some issues work better than others; Some win awards, others are shunned for reasons that are rather shameful, I believe.

Very few filmmakers actually have the balls to come out and place pinpoint such issues. Can we expect Karan Johar to shed the glam quotient and make such a film? Probably not - look what he did with KANK and My Name is Khan? Serious issues; sugarcoated. And the west is no different. Slumdog Millionaire is hardly a true depiction for the slums in India. Mahafail, Danny Boyle. But you can be sure, other filmmakers will continue to do so. And sadly, we need to recognize them for their courage. They know the film will probably not make waves or rake in heaps at the box office. And yet, they stand by their films hoping it will make a difference in India and will educate the ignorant, motivate the youth and open eyes of those who choose to wear a blindfold to social issues that are blatantly in front of them.

Oscar de la India

by Roshni Mulchandani

The came. They waited. They conquered. Sweeping the SAG's, Academy Awards, BAFTA's and now Oscars was none other than the small film that interesting was supposed to go straight to DVD, Slumdog Millionaire. The cast and crew came out in full force and hit the L.A. red carpet in much pomp. Crowds and fans hollered out the names of the cast, photographers and media called out to them, asked them to pose, requested them for interviews. They humbly accepted and spoke volumes about the movie. They then entered the Kodak Theatre only to win, win and win again making them Oscar millionaire's in their own rights. The young slum children came out too all dressed in designer wear looking dashing and excited to see their Hollywood favorites. They ran up and down the red carpet asking for autographs, letting the press know they are popular kids at their schools in Mumbai.

However, the king of the night was none other than apna A.R. Rahman. I'm not exactly sure how they could have gotten his name wrong pronouncing its RaKman instead, but we all knew who they were referring to, so its all good. But if any man had to be recognized on an international platform for his talent, it had to be him. His humility shone when he won two awards for Best Song (Jai Ho) and Best Soundtrack, and simply said, "All my life I had to choose between love and hate. I chose love and here I am.." Noble words from a noble man. He thanked God, mom (in a most Bollywood fashion) and exited. He then charmed audiences with both his nominated songs, Jai Ho and O Saya, in a fabulous fusion with the great John Legend. Their collaboration was simply mesmerizing.

I have always found the Oscar's to be a bit of an extra drag in past years but this year I watched it from start to finish and lurrved it. I'm not sure if that has something to do with the fact that there was so much Indian representation this year, actually that is probably it. If that wasn't enough, Best Documentary Smile Pinki, too won! As did Resul Pookutty for sound mixing in SDM. Smile Pinki follows young and poor Pinki through her ordeal as she sets out to rid herself of a cleft above her lip. Another victory for India. The young children from the slum were bought in and really this is fabulous on part of the production company. This is probably a once in a lifetime opportunity for these children and you could tell how excited they genuinely were. While I have my personal apprehensions about the movie, I can't help but thank Danny Boyle and Warner Brothers for helping these children.

So my parting words, Slumdog Millionaire is a great film for many reasons. People have finally started to realize that there is immense talent east of the globe which is untouched. I'm not sure IF we will ever see a Hollywood-Bollywood tie up to be honest only because the audiences are so different but, it is nice to see that we are recognized now. I am a proud Indian today because I feel that the winners did not forget their country; did not forget their heritage; did not forget who they are: Indian. And to that, Jai Ho!