03 Jul IIFA showcases yet another great Indian divide on global stage
So Bollywood has done it yet again, just like they have been doing since 2000. In Macao the entire galaxy of glitterati – from mega stars and super stars to the just-arrived starlets and the outdated and near-expiry ones showcased what it claims ‘Indian’ films to world audience.
On the one hand we cry hoarse when Hollywood directors show our slums or one of our own is offered a role in their movies. They are damaging India’s image; it’s in bad taste; this is not the real India…to what a miniscule role; not justified to his/her talent…Headlines scream out, channels pan out and film critics mince no words. And on the other hand, we showcase our selected talent and take heart that we have arrived and soothe our bruised egos.
Bollywood may be self-dubbed as the face of Indian cinema but it definitely does not represent Indian cinema at large. There are hordes of excellent films being made across the country each year, not to forget the versatile actors in other languages.
When India has no dearth of talent, why showcase only Hindi movies and Bollywood actors? It’s time IIFA presents the real mosaic of country’s film fraternity if the academy needs to be true to its name.
But that will take a lot of courage because old habits die hard. If the Bollywood bandwagon aka IIFA brainstormers care to change themselves they can begin by taking the most obvious cue out from their dream land. There are no mega stars and super stars in Hollywood. Only actors or artists. Think of what India would be sans stars!
Aping can be done either clumsily or with elan. If the ‘Bollywood Oscar Academy’ believes only Bollywood glitterati can be compared to Hollywood sheen, so be it.
I suggest the Kapoors, Bachchans and Khans endorse a few regional picks and allow the world see the true dimensions and reach of the true Indian cinema.
Until such time, IIFA would be putting yet another great Indian divide on the global stage – ‘The glitz divide’! Don’t we have enough already. Beginning with the Aryan-Dravidian divide; the urban-rural divide; the north-south divide, the rich-poor divide…the list only seems to get longer as the nation progresses.
Little wonder foreigners film our country and describe it to their whim and fly out with impunity.
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