The Underdog Wins

By now, you have probably seen and heard about the "Slumdog Millionaire's" wins at the 2009 Golden Globe awards. January 11, 2009 will go in Bollywood's history books for a few reasons, especially because A. R. Rehman became the first Indian to win a Golden Globe. I know I'm a little late with this entry, but I've been busy watching the movie (again) and thinking about the movie and its impact on Indian cinema.






Even though "Slumdog" wasn't a traditional Bollywood film, I was still so very proud of all the "Slumdog" moments - best drama, best director, best musical score, best screenplay, Shah Rukh presenting, and Anil Kapoor's enthusiasm. Pundits have already started to shout that "Slumdog" is a shoe-in for the Academy's coming up this year.

Writer, Shoba De, who is never afraid to write what's on her mind, has written a very interesting column on film, not the awards, but the content of the film for the Times of India. You can find it at the link below.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Columnists/Shobhaa_De_Slumming_it_out/articleshow/3961852.cms

When talking to Desis about the film, I have heard several responses. There are two camps - the first believe that the film accurately and justly portrayed the slums of Mumbai. The latter assert that the film should have shown the other side of Mumbai made up of the upper and middle classes.

I have never lived in Mumbai nor have I visited Mumbai. The only images I have of Mumbai are from City of Hope, documentaries and Bollywood films. Do I think the filmmakers could have done more to show the many faces of Mumbai? Yes, they could have. But, while the film was made in Mumbai, I don't believe that it was about Mumbai. I felt the film was more about optimism and how to rise in the face of adversity, poverty and betrayal. I felt this was a story of a young boy who could have been living in any impoverished neighbourhood in India, Africa, Middle East, and even in developed countries in Europe, USA and Canada.


Read Big B's blog to get his take on the the film.

But, there is another debate that has caught my attention since the Golden Globes. Is Slumdog Millionarie a Bollywood film? I have to admit, as a Bollywood cinema fan, it was a proud moment to see Shah Rukh Khan on the Golden Globe stage. He was (trying) to be suave, witty and stylish as he promoted Slumdog Millionaire. Equally proud was watching Karen Johar walk the red carpet with the Khans at the Globes. Of course, I didn't forget Anil Kapoor's enthusiasm. I love love love him for it!!!!




Now I understood why Anil Kapoor was at the Globes, but why SRK and KJ? They had no role in the film. And technically, Slumdog was not a Bollywood film. It was based on a British Indian's novel, British screen writer, the actor's were British Indian, British director and only 40% of the film was in Hindi. Aside from the film's music (which was phenomenal by the way...my cat and I love to dance to Ringa Ringa) and the film set in Mumbai, what was Bollywood about it?

In a recent interview with Anil Kapoor, he stated with pride for his country and his industry that all the technicians that worked on the film - aside from the director and screen writers - were Indian and from Bollywood. Perhaps, rather than calling it a Bollywood film, let's call it an Indian export...better yet a Bollywood export.

Since the wins at the Golden Globes, it has come out that SRK was invited by the Golden Globes to represent Bollywood. He was believed to be the international face of Bollywood. When I heard that I couldn't help but that think of the other Bollywood personalities who have more of an international presence in the media than SRK. What about Amitabh Bachan, Shilpa Shetty or Ashwariya Rai Bachan? I honestly believe that they are more well known faces than SRK. I can't count how many times men and women have said "There's this Indian woman I saw and she's called the most beautiful woman in the world. And she is!"

Regardless of what the debates are and what our stances are, it is truly an exciting moment for Bollywood, Mumbai and India to be recognized by the Golden Globes and now the Academy Awards.

Have you seen Slumdog Millionaire? Do you think its a Bollywood film? What did you think of SRK's presence at the Golden Globes? Post on the blog or email me at desigirlhouston@gmail.com