Whoa.. time of celebration for all Indians as the 'Slumdog' title originally written by Vikas Swarup (who thankfully got a mention, once, twice) won 8 Oscars out of 10 for which it was nominated for... It came as a surprise that it won the Best Picture too.. Well, discussing our points of views and our 'judgments' between my colleagues Anubha Mamgain and Kiraun, Anubha leave the thought for this post - 'Nobody talked about the message in the movie.' Perhaps, there was no conscious message intended to pass on. It was purely commercial. If there were true actors in the movie 'Slumdog Millionaire', guess it was the kids and kids alone. None else. I'm glad to see a press release by the end of the day from World Vision which has also identified the message and here's what it says: "Don't just be entertained; do something!"
World Vision India called for action that ensures children like Jamal, Salim and Latika are protected, educated and cared for. "While the film does a good job depicting the realities of slum life to a large extent, there are many more challenges these children are up against," said Dr. Jayakumar Christian, National Director World Vision India. "Moviegoers should realize that poverty in India is a clear and present challenge for children in India -but there are tangible ways people can make a difference."
About World Vision: The organization works in close to 50 slums like Dharavi, depicted in Slumdog Millionaire, as well as communities across the country, assisting street children, people living with HIV and AIDS, child labourers, migrants and families in need of clean water, sanitation, education and economic opportunities. The public can donate or learn more by visiting www.worldvision.in
CONTACT DETAILS Joy Christina. R, Manager - Media Relations, World Vision India, +91 (044) 24807064 / +919840798734, Joy_Christina@wvi.org
Showing posts with label road to oscars. Show all posts
Showing posts with label road to oscars. Show all posts
February 23, 2009
January 26, 2009
Slumdog Millionaire - What's the fuss all about?
Yea.. finally I saw it - the 'Slumdog Millionaire'
As the movie unfolded, I really was questioning myself, if this police investigation style was as bad as Ghajini's where the police has forgotten their duty and got more interested in the personal life of the hero. Thank God, it wasn't.
The next disappointment was of the style of Anil Kapoor, playing the host of 'Who wants to be a millionaire'. In all his 'art of acting', he never came close to the actual host - Amitabh Bachchan, but, he made his character loathsome, by his demeaning modus, tone, expression the way he calls Jamal (Dev patel) a chaiwallah, which in our current evolved media, none would think of. Just when we thought Indians have started acknowledging equal rights of an individual irrespective of his occupation, caste, we had to see this in international media. Huh!
Well.. the vulgar 'MC' was used as if it was a common slang and.. well, I really do not know if the script is as sacrosanct as the novel describes, but I guess it is safe to assume this one distorts the book version just as many other movies have done. The portrayal of the characters seem to be exaggerated. However, the way the movie unwinds and describes the slum life, the creative construct of how Jamal knew the answers to the various questions, the art direction among others is plausible.
Well, towards the end, it was enjoyable, but it was as typical as any other good bollywood movie would be. I guess Rang de Basanti (RDB) was much better when measured this by its theme, characters, art and class of acting, music and quite a few other significant parameters if you will. While RDB is top of mind, I'm sure there'll be many other deserving movies others may think of. What's the fuss all about? My question here is - Why couldn't 'RDB' or even 'Taarein Zameen par' make it to the Oscars? What did this have that the others didn't? I guess it has to do with the name of Director, the scale and level of promotion and the orbit of the directors' influence if nothing less..
Nonetheless, if not by Indian directors, Indian cinema surely has come of age by virtue of Hollyood making the Indian cinema and showcasing it in their land!
Let's see.. if the play on an Indian slumdog also sweeps the Oscars and also win the 'Best Picture of the Year'... Congrats to A.R. Rahman.. and many more for awards already won.. And for the Big Day of Oscars, Best Wishes team!
As the movie unfolded, I really was questioning myself, if this police investigation style was as bad as Ghajini's where the police has forgotten their duty and got more interested in the personal life of the hero. Thank God, it wasn't.
The next disappointment was of the style of Anil Kapoor, playing the host of 'Who wants to be a millionaire'. In all his 'art of acting', he never came close to the actual host - Amitabh Bachchan, but, he made his character loathsome, by his demeaning modus, tone, expression the way he calls Jamal (Dev patel) a chaiwallah, which in our current evolved media, none would think of. Just when we thought Indians have started acknowledging equal rights of an individual irrespective of his occupation, caste, we had to see this in international media. Huh!Well.. the vulgar 'MC' was used as if it was a common slang and.. well, I really do not know if the script is as sacrosanct as the novel describes, but I guess it is safe to assume this one distorts the book version just as many other movies have done. The portrayal of the characters seem to be exaggerated. However, the way the movie unwinds and describes the slum life, the creative construct of how Jamal knew the answers to the various questions, the art direction among others is plausible.
Well, towards the end, it was enjoyable, but it was as typical as any other good bollywood movie would be. I guess Rang de Basanti (RDB) was much better when measured this by its theme, characters, art and class of acting, music and quite a few other significant parameters if you will. While RDB is top of mind, I'm sure there'll be many other deserving movies others may think of. What's the fuss all about? My question here is - Why couldn't 'RDB' or even 'Taarein Zameen par' make it to the Oscars? What did this have that the others didn't? I guess it has to do with the name of Director, the scale and level of promotion and the orbit of the directors' influence if nothing less..
Nonetheless, if not by Indian directors, Indian cinema surely has come of age by virtue of Hollyood making the Indian cinema and showcasing it in their land!
Let's see.. if the play on an Indian slumdog also sweeps the Oscars and also win the 'Best Picture of the Year'... Congrats to A.R. Rahman.. and many more for awards already won.. And for the Big Day of Oscars, Best Wishes team!
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