Slumdog Millionaire

Ever since it swept the 81st annual Accademy Awards, also know as the Oscars, on the 22nd of February, there has been plenty of debate on whether the film actually deserved all the accolades. Well they was always going to be a debate about that from the very first. Firstly because it wasn't you typical Oscar type movie, at heart it was a much better version of a Bollywood movie. And secondly it was an outsider's view of a situations. So there was definetely going to be a debate.

Many scoff movie as an attempt to further stereotype the nation's poverty, to the extent of glorifying it. True we are known as a 3rd world country and for poverty, but we can't deny that it isn't present. for those who say this haven't much been to these places let alone seen these. What you got to admire about the director is that he had the guts to film the movie on real location. Where Indian directors like the Chopras and the Johar constantly use foreign locales and sound stages as a stand in for actual locations, here you had a foreign director actual filming the movie in actual locvation with people from those areas. You got to commend Danny Boyle for that.

Many say that the movie earned these awards based on sympathy votes because of the attacks on Mumbai. Others believe that movie was marketed well for it to earn these awards. Well firstly I wouldn't say that these were sympathy awards and don't think promotion of the movie had anything to do with it. Then we need to remember that movie swept all the major awards like the Golden Globe, the Critic Choice, The BAFTAs, the SAG, before the Oscars. So that does count in favor of the movie. Secondly the movie's message of hope against all odds was was pretty uplifting and boded well for time when all the major economy is in the state of depression.

Many say that this wasn't A R Rahman best work, he's done better before. I would say "so what if this isn't is best work, it did earn him two Oscars, that does stand for something. Plus it is the first time that an Indian music director was given such a platform and succeeded in winning alot of admiration.

On the whole everyone is entitled to their own views, but then its not right to put down the picture so badly. I did watch the movie and I truely loved it.

The Great Movie Award Show

As the Hollywood award season slowly winds down to a close with the Oscars, we here in Bollywood are just beginning our so called award seasons. So while the Oscars is all about critical acclamation and how well you can market your film to the Academy voters, here in India to win awards it's your last name that matters.

For the past many years the Oscar's have gone to movie you can slot at boring, because they are too slow and more the thinking masses, kind of our parallel cinema. Nice meaning full movie but for a niche audience. Apart from Titanic and Lord of the Rings: Return of the King, none of the movie's have been quite the box office money earners or you could say thorough entertainers. Even the people who act in them, not very often will you find an A-Lister winning the award. But eve then their characters are complicated, complex, well etched and beautifully created. And at times it does help them come in the spot light and give a boost to their movie careers.

And then you have the Indian movie awards. These couldn't been different from the spectrum compared to their Hollywood counterparts. The Indian awards are mostly given to people who have clout in the industry. To win an award it matters what your name is and who you associate it in the industry. That's why if you note the list of winners you just find the same names appearing over and over again. But do they deserve their win, the answer is no. These awards are only meant to stroke the egos of a few and keep them happy. And if the person can't get an award then you create a category for them. That's how the Indian awards work. Even if you see the padma shri awards, which are the highest civilian awards, they have gone to people who don't even deserve it.

Well if the Oscar need to lighten up then the Indian award show needs to get more critical and need to be given to deserving candidates. Hope this happens real soon.