It is disappointing to learn that “Rang de Basanti” is going to be the Indian representative for a shot at the Academy Award this season.
“Rang de Basanti” rises above mediocrity for the most part. The first half is mostly about making up the reels so that it qualifies as a “desi” movie. God forbid, it should end before the two-hour mark. The songs are incongruous with the storyline and serve to only impede the pace of the narrative.
The climax is one of the worst in recent memory. Is the director trying to tell us that college educated youth who are supposedly inspired by freedom martyrs are naïve enough to think that the assassination of the Defence Minister solves many an ill afflicting the Indian society? And a Bollywood exclusive, the hero belabors to point out the rationale behind the assassination on national radio for the good part of ten minutes. And oh, let’s stop the madness with British dames falling hopelessly in love with our heroes for no rhyme or reason. “Lagaan” and “Rang de” are both are guilty of that. What’s worse, this love theme has absolutely no impact on the story. Goodness! Tamil movies, “Indian” and “Gentleman” would be better candidates and we all know that they were merely good commercial servings!
I’m going to make some educated guesses on why “Rang De” was selected as the Indian representative. Aamir Khan – It is true that his acting performance was very good. In fact, all of the actors were good. But, this nomination is for the movie, not acting. Lack of Other Quality Movies – This could be true. But, with Oscar, I would say, let’s hold ourselves to a minimum standard and not send any movies to the Academy, if we feel we didn’t produce a work close to international standard.
That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
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RANG DE BASANTI MAKES A MOCKERY OF THE NATIONAL ANTHEM YET REPRESENTS INDIA AT OSCARS! WHAT A SHAME?
(I was working in a publication's website division and wrote this article but it never saw the daylight)
Do we really care about PATRIOTISM? This was the question raised when Rakeysh Mehra’s RANG DE BASANTI released on 24th January 2006. Critics and audience went overboard to praise the film without realizing how nicely Mehra has played with the emotions of patriotism. What is surprising is that the Censor Board and Ministry of Defence cleared the movie without the respective cuts, where in Mehra has glorified the mockery of India’s National Anthem. After the grand success of the film, the question to Mehra’s RANG DE BASANTI is that none of the Indian has really cared about the mockery of National Anthem and has enjoyed the movie for its fun element. Mehra surely has failed to incite the need of PATRIOTISM among us Indians!
The scene from the film where in Alice Patten (for her documentary film) and Soha Ali Khan is taking audition for picking up the respective historical martyrs, who laid their lives for the freedom of India. A young boy raps the first line of National Anthem ‘Jana Gana Mana...’ along with ‘Vande Maataram…’ not once but twice in the film. Sadly enough, the Censor Board and the Ministry of Defence (the three Chiefs of Army / Navy & Air Force represented the ministry) has not only over looked the mockery but also has not demanded the cut of the particular scene. Have we Indians become so callous towards our own National Anthem?
We got in touch with Rakeysh Mehra, who was a bit agitated but nevertheless did answer our queries saying, “The film has hit you that means. That is what my film is all about. The idea was to make the young generation realize what patriotism is all about.” When we ask as to how he could glorify the mockery of National Anthem, he counter questions a bit agitated, “Ask the Censor Board why they didn’t cut the scenes? I am not a moral police but a filmmaker. The boy literally did rap the mix of the songs while we were auditioning. That is not something I wrote in my screenplay.” When our Delhi office got in touch with Censor Board Chairman Ms. Sharmila Tagore, she not only refused to comment but also sidestepped the issue of National Anthem and instead asked us to get in touch with Censor Board officer Mr. Vinayak Azad (because her daughter Soha Ali Khan was in the scene).
Mr. Vinayak Azad seems to be a too busy person when contacted over phone. However, he asked us, “Is it really the National Anthem that the boy has sung? VANDE MAATARAM is the slogan that was used during our freedom struggle. I had seen the movie long back and I would need to see it again to give you my whole comment on this aspect.” While he buys time, his mobile phone goes off when we try to contact after the stipulated time he gave us. What was surprising while talking to Mr. Azad was that he doesn’t seem to know that our National Anthem starts with ‘Jana Gana Mana…’ because each time we tried to get his reaction (in the first attempt) he keeps asking us, “Are you sure it is our National Anthem?” When we remind him that ‘Jana Gana Mana…’ is our National Anthem’s first line, he keeps talking about ‘VANDE MAATARAM as the slogan Indians used during pre-Independence India.” It was indeed heartening to know that Indians who hold important position in public offices of repute act in such fashion and can act without prejudice when it concerns our own National Anthem.
We tried to get in touch with Soha Ali Khan but she refused to talk over phone instead SMS us saying, “I am shooting in Lonavala till 14th March.” Repeated calls to her was not picked up or answered, knowing well that it is a grave offence if one disrespect National Anthem. The spokesperson of Defence in Mumbai Capt. Abhay Lambhate was of great help but even he couldn’t give us the right to information about the topic. Instead he asked to get in touch with Delhi spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence. We emailed our queries along with certain questions regarding the issue but there has been no reply from the Director PR (MoD) Mr. YSR Murthy.
Various office bearers have dealt the issue, even though grave, in the most irresponsible manner. What should be the remedy when our National Anthem is made the butt of the joke to entertain audience? One assumption, just like in the film a British girl (Alice Patten – Sue in the film) comes all the way from London to generate awareness about patriotism to the bunch of directionless Indian guys, we surely need someone, who would be able to answer the prime question – Do we pride ourselves as Indians when it concerns our NATIONAL ANTHEM?
I am sure there were several good movies made last year, if we look into the non-commerical attempts, that didn't have super stars and were not marketed (hyped) well.
I agree with you that RDB was one of those commercial feel good movies, like any other Shankar movie. The climax was horrendous, can never justify the climax, it was unreal, impractical, I rather liked the climax of Yuva where students enter politics and clean the system rather than turn into terrorists. There is also a dialogue in the movie where Madhavan preaches Siddarth to enter politics and clean the system but it was never covered in the movie again.
I disagree with the view that our National Anthem was insulted. I think the director tried to put across a point there telling us how the younger generation look at our National Anthem and how irresponsible they are in that regard. I feel we should be able to accept our problems before even thining of correcting it.
RDB definitely does not deserve an Oscar but still it is the movie we have sent from India and lets support for it.....
Appreciate the comments.
With regard to the national anthem issue, I don't think it is a big deal. If it is the director's contention that youth are this way, thats is ok. It doesn't mean he is disrespecting India in real life. As they say, true democracy is when a citizen, for genuine reasons, can burn the national flag without fear of severe criticism.
Of the 9 entries, there were only 2 non-Bollywood contenders. "Amma Cheppindi" (Telegu) and "Bhook" (Marathi). I don't know how good or bad they were. "Krrish" was one of the contenders.. I repeat, "Krrish", Have we lost our minds?
Raj, good to know that I have awakened you with a topic close to your heart!
Looking at the last 2-3 years, it seems like South Indian movies are being overlooked. Now, this is just a casual observation, definitely don't have lot of meat to this opinion. But, just a thought. Is Bollywood taking over Indian film industry?
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