Comment: Behind India’s Oscar submission

India wants a positive self-image by nominating Barfi! for Oscars, whereas Gangs of Wasseypur show societal ills.

We have all heard stories of magnificence about the ‘incredible India’ and the way it is projected to the world — then there’s the harsh reality of Slumdog Millionaire that bites you in your face. So what is it that India is aiming to do with the Bollywood bandwagon at the Oscars?

India has submitted Barfi! as the official entry to the Oscars’ foreign film category. Barfi! is an emotional piece about two persons suffering from disability and a third character to form the quintessential love triangle that is so frequently featured in Bollywood movies. Since the submission, the decision is marred by criticism by the Indians questioning whether it was the right choice made by the authorities. To many, it clearly isn’t because of its overt inspiration that borders on plagiarism to movies of the earlier Hollywood era.

The film takes a cue from silent movies including those by Charlie Chaplin and in terms of story, has taken inspiration from some of the later releases as well. However, it is not the inspiration that bothers the critics. Many feel the frame by frame enactment of some famous cinematic scenes has made it uncomfortable for them to label it as an original or even a ‘good’ film. The director has said that it pays tribute, but that was never announced with the release of the film.

I feel there are other problems with the movie; a love-triangle is something that is done to a death formula and has even been repeated in other commercial releases this year as well. One example is the big budget Cocktail starring Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Padukone — the story, strictly from the love story outline, is the same. Two characters who feel that they are ideal for each other and they find differences or don’t work it out and a third, less ideal looking character is the one they settle with.

The point is not whether this is the right movie to be sent for an Oscar submission but the fact that there are better, more powerful releases which perhaps deserve to be sent through and have healthier chances of getting a nod by the academy.

Let’s look at what has worked at the Academy Awards in the recent past: Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionnaire — an astounding success, why? Because it was a realistic (albeit western) portrayal of the life that fascinates the West. In many ways, it showed the pits of India and the paramount problems that are a part and parcel of being a third world nation stricken by poverty, corruption and mismanagement.

Similarly, take an example of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel — again a Hollywood production that sheds a surreal light on the inconsistencies that exist in the Indian society. Keeping that in mind, a film like Gangs of Wasseypur — which is an entirely Indian/Bollywood production is not only a cinematic wonder but is also a piece stitched together by realism and compassion. It is equally commercial but a major breakthrough in the sense that it combines the small town cinema aspects of India with the slick Bollywood production treatment coupled with powerful performances and an unforgettable story. Many still feel that it should have been the official submission from Bollywood to the Oscars and have even predicted a nod for it.

One must look into why India submitted Barfi! as the official submission. It is in line with their media and foreign policy where the best image of India is presented to the world. Indian media is known to project the good that is happening and report on positive aspects more than the negative ones. This is a great strategy and has rewarded the country and their movie industry well over the years.

Gangs of Wasseypur shows the ills of society — gang wars, violence, killing, all truly raw and reflective of the harsh realities which exist in their society — this is not what India embraces, instead they embrace love and for that very reason, with all its shortcomings, Barfi! will still be the submission of choice by the authorities. Who’s talking about better cinema?

Perhaps Pakistan needs to start thinking about submitting pieces to the Oscars too. We are not far as last year, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy won an Oscar for a co-production on rehabilitating women whose faces and bodies are burnt by acid by vengeful men. We have other more ‘closer to reality’ productions focusing on what’s wrong with our society.

Slackistan was a ‘casual’ look at the disparity in our society in the current politically challenged times. Maybe these are the kind of movies which will be noted. What if India projects what’s good with them? We can project what’s bad with us — as long as it gets us into the limelight. But then again, is that the right strategy? One can’t be sure about that but it’s definitely the most convenient at the moment.

The writer is a former print and broadcast journalist who has worked at The News and Geo TV.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 7^th, 2012.

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