The Slumdog Phenomenon

So the shouting is over at the awards and the shouting has just begun at home - the media has picked up where the other film festivals, critics and other international awards events left off. Not taking away anything from what the film merits in terms of the players talents and efforts involved, but the real question here is - we as a nation are applauding exactly what? Every channel you see has the same refrain being screamed out - Slumdog Millonaire brings glory to India. Like I said, not taking anything away from the filmmakers, but we do need to get things in perspective. Has the film brought glory to India? No. it is A.R. Rahman, Rusel Pookutty and Gulzar saab who have brought glory to India. So lets get that straight. What they have achieved is nothing short of remarkable - and nothing anyone can say can take that away from them. But lets stop piling on the praise for “Slumdog Millionaire” and in that hysteria try to claim it as one of our productions - thats a film made by someone else, why would they bring glory to our country? They would bring glory to their country. And to say Slumdog… has swept the oscars so my heart is filled with pride is like the chinese people saying that they are over the moon because Chandni Chowk to China won International fame (i know it hasnt…thats just an example…d.uh…)

And for A.R.R, R.P and Gulzaar saab….Jai Ho!