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What
not to do for global acclaim?
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During
one of the forums at the FICCI conclave earlier
this week, two contrasting points of view were
raised. One was of the opinion that the industry
must try to deliver cinema suited to global consumer
sensibilities. The other opinion was that it was
best to make cinema for Indian audiences. This
perhaps underlines the dilemma that Indian cinema
sometimes gets into, mostly during that time of
the year, when the Oscars are announced. But,
this is not about the Oscars and how we repeatedly
fail to crack that mystery. This is something
more domestic, i.e. within the confines of Indian
cinema.
Everyone loves international recognition, in fact
that is the inevitable step after national recognition
and every film maker should be aspiring for the
same. But, it is the means of achieving that recognition
which remains a tricky issue. It also depends
as to whether a film maker wants to carry Indian
cinema to a global level or is looking to make
a name for himself or herself at the international
stage. The latter is more of a personal achievement
and we do have a
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few
names that have made it big at the global stage. The
first name to come to mind in this respect has to be
Shekhar Kapur who gave us the unforgettable Mr. India
and since then moved on to Hollywood to make films like
‘Elizabeth’ which was truly international
in its theme, casting and appeal. While the achievement
of Shekhar Kapur in becoming an internationally accepted
director who is considered capable of handling truly
British themes like the life of Queen Elizabeth is absolutely
fabulous, it also has to be said that it has done very
little in taking Indian cinema to the global stage.
Plainly because, the Indian film maker made a film that
is fully and thoroughly western. Similar things can
be said about the very much liked ‘Bend it Like
Beckham’ which attracted the British audiences.
Though it revolved around an Indian family settled in
England and said a lot about the Indian way of life
where women have to learn to make ‘rotis’
than play football, it was at heart an English film
with some Indian flavor. Similarly, when actors from
the Indian film industry are chosen to play roles in
Hollywood films, it is only that particular actor who
gets elevated to a global level; it changes nothing
in the Indian industry. Aishwarya Rai has been moving
in and out of Hollywood with a few films the biggest
of which was probably ‘Pink Panther’, but
other than getting her recognized, there has been nothing
else.
It is pretty clear, films that cater to international
sensibilities might get popular, but they cannot elevate
Indian cinema. This analogy might be uneven; can an
Indian cook get famous by making great pizza? Obviously
not, because there would be thousands abroad who can
do the same. Even Saravana Bhavan is a great example.
It has branches spread all over the world, a brand recognized
in almost all major cities. The reason for their appeal
is simple; they have never deviated away from what they
do best, offer south Indian food. A Saravana Bhavan
in the USA retains its stamp because it serves idly
and sambar. Had they chosen to serve burgers and rolls
in order to ‘cater to an international population’
they would have been outclassed by Mc Donalds. The vice
versa is also true, Mc Donalds could not have held on
in India if they had muddled around with biriyani.
The answer is simple. Real global recognition comes
only when we retain our individuality. Attracting an
international audience is fine. But, Indian cinema will
be victorious only when it is done by a film that is
truly ‘Indian’ in every sense of the word,
i.e. one that satisfies the regional audience too. Only
when we start delivering films that are super hits in
India and appreciated by the global audience too, can
we say that Indian cinema has arrived at the international
stage. To get that dose of global fame, we need not
change anything; we only need to get better at what
we are doing right now. If, in the search of international
acclaim, films are made which forget Indian tastes and
try hard to please the Oscar jury, Indian cinema will
be lost in a crowd. Let Indian cinema remain truly Indian;
let us not go in search of global fame, let it come
to us. The time will definitely come.
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