New Delhi has been criticised left, right and centre on the arrangements [or the lack of the same, rather] of the Commonwealth Games that are opening today.
Critics have pointed out the falling of the footbridge and the other sub-standard arrangements that have left the world in dismay without an iota of doubt.
A few others, on the other hand, mention that the participants have now expressed satisfaction with the arrangements in the Games Village.
Some others have lambasted the decision of awarding the Games to be hosted in India in the first place. And a few have even gone on to question whether the claims of India as an upcoming economic power is really justified in light of the Games issues.
The local media of this largest democracy of the world has blasted the Games organisers on corruption and poor organisational skills.
So can Delhi manage to pull this off? Are the criticisms fair and justified?
Handicapped was I without my remote to tackle the flood of adverts thrown at me, as I was pondering over these questions awaiting a movie to start at Ilford Cineworld.
It was Endhiran Robot (Tamil), starring Indian superstars Rajnikanth and Aiswarya Rai. Oscar winner A R Rahman has scored the music.
With so much of hype and puff around it will it live up? It did, quite convincingly.
Endhiran, a simple sci-fi, is akin to a Microsoft interface. It has a menu that naturally captures your imagination and yet has new features. [Bugs? Look for yourself]
Even though you can’t prevent being reminded of movies like ‘Artificial Intelligence’ and ‘Terminator’, the Robot is programmed to take you off guard.
Rajnikanth who plays dual roles as a Scientist and his creation, a Robot, steals the show especially when he unravels demonic streaks in the second half.
However the man who strikes big time is the Director, Shankar.
Shankar, known for delivering societal messages in his movies, has earlier made films on themes of corruption and inequality in Indian society.
One of the western equivalents that comes close [yet distant] is ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ which has received wide acclaim, Oscar awards and so forth.
This movie can be credited for bringing out the reality of modern-day Mumbai. But how real was that reality is the question?
While Slumdog showed a superficial analysis of India bringing out Danny Boyle’s ‘Unfamiliarity about India’ factor that Boyle himself admitted,
Shankar’s attempts bring out grave facts but present a truer, more representative picture served with a cosmetic flavour.
His Endhiran has the potential, not just for raking in big bucks but for some accolades as well. More importantly it is interesting to notice an Indian movie hitting boiling point and showing signs of being on the verge of throwing open the doors of international cinema. It won’t be surprising to see an Indian movie made in English in the near future and Shankar himself has the required ammunition.
Out I came from the cinemas and out again came the question on Commonwealth Games.
Well, there is absolutely no question that the Commonwealth organisers in New Delhi should get this one right and more so in style. No excuses whatsoever. If not it will be the Indian public that will be more upset than the rest of the world.
But the actual question that triggers a greater truth is this.
Do we spot, in some sections of the first world media and movies, a common thread of reporting that leaps on all fours when it comes to showing developing countries, especially India, in poor light but turns economic with truth when it is time for a brighter beam of light? How much of media glare did Chandrayan receive in comparison to the Commonwealth Games’ flaks?
Beneath all of it, is it just straight bullying of developed nations on developing nations simply because they are developing?
If that is the case the best way to tackle bullying is what we tell our children to do. Not to duck but standing up to it, face-up.
Indian film-makers can do their bit in quickening the transition from virtual reality to reality in the Indian context, face-up. After all we love authentic Indian food and not foreign food labelled ‘Indian’.
So guys, stop flicking from Hollywood and start doing it in Hollywood [hate the word ‘Indianise’]. When IT and docs are doing it why not you folks? Dot.
It is time for more authentic movies on India serving wholesome meals palatable to everybody.
Endhiran has raised such hopes as we cross fingers on Commonwealth Games.
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