There has been an overdose of Punjabi in Bollywood, and it's been that way for quite some time now. So long that it's making me retch. No offense, my dear Punjabi friends. Punjabi is a fine language and with an equally mesmerizing culture to back it. But there are surely more cultures and languages in India that can be showcased?
Heck! We are the most diverse country ever in the world with a shocking number of 415 living languages spoken in India and an equal number of distinctly different cultures to showcase. But no, we are going to be stuck on just Punjabi.
Think DDLJ, Kal Ho Na Ho, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham ..If you're saying that these are just the Chopras and Johars, how about Namastey London..Bhagban, Muhjse Shaadi Karoge, Bride and Prejudice, Jhoom Barabar Jhoom….The list is simply endless.
And it doesn’t stop simply at films; go on to music and almost all the popular songs are set to the Bhangra beat or the usual Balle Balle (read dhol) background score. Try and see songs from any movie in the last decade, you will realize what I mean. How about giving us a taste of rustic Bihari folk or Rajasthani panihari music or the local flavour of the pahadis, Bollywood? As Bollywood is capturing audiences all across the country, it has the responsibility to be more inclusive of languages and regional cultures.
And on top of this, they want Bollywood to be called the ‘Indian Film Industry '. Not yet, until you grow to be better. Include more actors from other industries and not just female actors who meet certain criteria. And ya sure, first try and identify the four South Indian states correctly, will you?
But who cares if a Madrasi female sitting in the audience is disappointed by the end of a film? We’re too sensitive, and we don’t matter anyway. And oh, everyone knows this doesn't fall under any category of racism.
7 comments:
I have to totally agree with you. I'm a non-Punjabi, however I love the Punjabi culture, music, and most of all, the people. HOwever I've noticed this trend in many Bollywood films having their token doses of "Punjabiness" in them. Long and short, it's all to do with economics, Indian movies are there to make movies. Twenty years ago, Punjabi culture was mocked and laughed at by mainstream India, today it's put on a pedestal. I think this is more so because of Punjab's growing economic power both in India and abroad. I hate to day it, but that's the main reason. It's no different than when you have big name stars cheapening their dance sequences with Coca-Cola bottles thrown in their choreography...lol but money does make the World go round and round.
Well, what you say is perfectly true. It must be the economic clout of the panju producers...but hey, that need not be a barrier for creativity. All am asking is for them to go on making their moolah but just have an ear to the ground.
I have always wondered if writing letters to Indian movie producers/celebrities would go anywhere. Here in the West, people's lives are so mundane and routine that we need to watch movies about violence/poverty, whereas in India, life is supposedly more difficult, so the masses enjoy romance/escape/fantasy. That's the western notion, perhaps you have a differnt take. For example, why has there never been an Indian movie about how the most beautiful dak skinned girl would be considered ugly next to an average fair skinned girl? How's that for a story line that many would relate to? That plastic white colour all the celebrities achieve by wearing pounds of make-up...reflects the racism in our society. Wow did I go off topic or is this all relevant? lol
Hi again,
I doubt letters to producers would bring about any change.But its a nice theory you got here, about the differences in the audience of East and West.
Thank you. I must say that all of your blogs make for very neat and interesting read, and they reflect both wisdom and intellect. Very refreshing.
The same holds true for food. North Indian food today is dominated by Punjabi food. All over north people dont eat Naan and Tandooori Rotis...how about Chicken Tikka Masala...
The point is both Bollywood and the India food industry have to show more respect to other cultures and cuisines.
I would love to see a bollywood cinema helping us explore culture of Rural Gujarat and hotels serving Bihari cuisines...
anyone listening
Thanks Surindra for those kind words. Surely motivates one to keep it going. :)
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