Why Its Wrong To Cast PC as MK - Page 8

Originally posted by: nikitagmc

Vedant, it's not about regionalism or nationality. Often actors from one region play actors from another region, they alter their accents, body language, have a makeover etc. But in this case the thing is that people from North East look VERY different than people from rest of India, it's a very striking feature. So much, that they are called Chinki, Chinese etc.. That difference in looks sort of becomes their stand out feature in a crowd- I have seen it myself in my college too. When an actor who looks so drastically different plays a role of a North Eastern (and a very famous one!) and is obviously unable to look the part as there is only an extent to which facial features can be changed, the question normally pops up that wouldn't it have been better if an actor from that region was selected, at least for the sake of the authenticity of 'looking the character' which is a very basic requirement? Especially bcos there is a sequence in the film where this part has been highlighted about people from North East not even being considered part of India (the part where PC is shouting 'India mera dharam hai', I am guessing it is for this issue only) WHY was such an actor not selected even at the extent of putting in a major wrong note in the story? Especially when we have SLB, who is known as one who goes to any lengths to get right the creative aspects of his films without bothering about the box office returns- there is a reason people call him a mad creative genius and applaud him even if they do not like all his films. I read the articles, people are wondering that if a director like him also did not do this and pursues box office instead, then could anyone else have done it?

Originally posted by: charminggenie

BO is certainly a draw but then PC is not commercially that successful.
PC maybe commercially not that successful to draw audiences on the basis of her own starpower, but she is a mainstream face and a popular one, a good actress too. If she comes in such a role, media and audience will take more interest in the promos and buzz etc than if some new actress from the North East had done it, and THAT leads to BO. That was what I was pointing at. Similarily, Farhan was chosen over a new actor (who had initially been shortlisted cos of his resemblance to Milkha Singh) bcos Farhan Akhtar was a mainstream actor and popular enough, even if he had absolutely no established fanbase prior to BMB. That is what I meant by BO considerations.
Maybe unlike others she is willing to push herself physically. I do think the reason for not selecting a N-E actress could be many. Unpopularity of the sport is a bigger issue compared to BO pull. Female boxing is hardly talked about in India. Even MC Kom is known only after the London Olympics. I am sure many won't be able to tell the other Indian women boxes in the concluded CWG . Hence more than BO it is essential to have a popular face to endorse this sport . Yeah, popularity and BO are the two prime reasons for which they probably signed PC, and it is understandable from the makers POV, but as I said, if they have chosen to make a compromise on the authenticity/creative aspect for these reasons, then they will have to face questions on the same as they will keep coming, whether one likes it or not.

Have they not hired a Nepalese actor to play MC's coach , I don't want to play the whole silly nationalist argument but perhaps talent trumped the need of authenticity here? I will have to go back and look at the trailer to see how the actor looks. As I have already said, it is NOT the nationality or which region they belong to which matters as long as they fit into the characters properly.

if Danny D can play Virat in Ashoka or soem Pratap Rai than why not PC.Not familiar with these examples as I haven't seen these films.

If regionalism is to be removed from BW then make it compulsory to have some representation of minorities in tv serials and movies. The point the critics have been stressing is that the actor should be chosen as per the requirement of the role, which they haven't seen in this scenario.

Originally posted by: charminggenie

All valid points @Nikitagmc

But do we all know the fact that Indian Bollywood movies are banned in Manipur because of Maoist influence in the region. This movies most certainly is not going to be released int he region.

Chairman of the Manipur Film Forum L Surjakanta Sharma, however, criticised the ban: "Even a Hindi TV serial I made in 2005 was banned, which is not good. The government should do the needful as it deprives people of the opportunity to get acquainted with various cultures of the country."

Looking at the condition of the region and it's indsutry , I do understand why the makers went for PC.
What has the condition of the region and it's industry got to do with selecting PC?😕 It's not like they would have forced an all India ban on the movie for no valid reason if an actress from their region had been chosen? Taking PC is still not going to get them a release in the state. In fact, if a Manipuri actress had been cast to portray the story of a sports icon from their region, this film might have actually found a release there, as the main grouse is that they are not considered part of India in multiple ways. From whatever tweets and articles I have read, not choosing an actress from their region inspite of the role clearly demanding it, has rather increased the disappointment of people. And actors from that region do work in films as and when required for such roles. Gitanjali Thapa even accepted a national award recently for her work.

What I care is this is a story which needs national platform. Indian woman boxing needs to be propagated and if it takes a glamoroustale to sell a legend's biopic then so be it. That is true and one of the biggest plus points in favour of choosing PC. The story will reach out to more people now. Maybe that is the reason even Mary Kom is okay with the cast.

Originally posted by: nikitagmc

What has the condition of the region and it's industry got to do with selecting PC?😕

It's not like they would have forced an all India ban on the movie for no valid reason if an actress from their region had been chosen? Taking PC is still not going to get them a release in the state. In fact, if a Manipuri actress had been cast to portray the story of a sports icon from their region, this film might have actually found a release there, as the main grouse is that they are not considered part of India in multiple ways.

The ban is on all Hindi-speaking movies in the region. It has been there for 10 years or more. So even if they would have case a manipuri actress in this film, it would not have had a release. For assimilation GOI needs to stop letting these bans in the region be executed.

From whatever tweets and articles I have read, not choosing an actress from their region inspite of the role clearly demanding it, has rather increased the disappointment of people. And actors from that region do work in films as and when required for such roles. Gitanjali Thapa even accepted a national award recently for her work.

Regional actors are hardly given recognition in India. So to take one of them to represent a minority sport centered around a female sportswomen, would have been a big big risk. I am not sure how much hype the movie would have generated if not for a commercial actress. As valid regional argument is, we are forgetting the movie surrounding a minority sports. The makers seems to have favored the latter argument and gone for a popular face for a minority sport to maximize the coverage.

That is true and one of the biggest plus points in favour of choosing PC. The story will reach out to more people now. Maybe that is the reason even Mary Kom is okay with the cast.

^^ This is the reason why I am also "ok" with the casting. There would be some focus on the region while atleast for few days the sports and Mary Kom would get some coverage.

Films with lesser known stars have gone onto become super hits. It requires a good script, good execution, good performances and good publicity. I think the makers should have at least tried to audition North Eastern women to see if someone fit the role. If the makers felt they needed a big star for commercial success then I can only assume they lack faith in their ability to pull of something good.

I don't mind a commercial flick with PC in the lead. To a certain extent I can see their need to pick her because audiences are slow to receive new stars. Although, I do wish they adapted it to be a film inspired by Mary Kom and not an authentic biopic. PC may give the performance of her life, but face it - she is not at all authentic as a petite North Eastern boxer.

Someone mentioned that the casting should not become a regionalism issue. In an ideal world all races and ethnic groups have equal footing and regionalism would never need to be brought up. Sadly, North East Indians still face severe racial discrimination in India. Their appearance is made fun off and they are still seen as too different or other to be truly Indian. In such a scenario we need to put more effort to get the whole of India to embrace them fully as Indians. Although, it is a tricky situation. It is difficult to draw hard and fast rules. So what is acceptable and what is not can be a grey area.

Originally posted by: charminggenie

QSQT,MPK, KNPH are biggest examples of smash hits delivered by debutantes. Although one might argue they had star kids.

Rajesh Khanna's career was lesser known until Aaradhna. Both Anil Kapoor and Jackie Shroff delivered early hits with Woh Saat Din and Hero. In fact Hero was the lead pairs second film.

For completely fresh faces Khiladi and Tere Mere Sapne were big hits for a fresh cast. Aashiqui with two debutantes was a phenomenal hit in the nineties.

None are per se regional stars, but there is always a first - it depends on who takes the chance. People of all races are gaining bankability in the west - it is about time India allowed their regional stars to shine.

I think the makers could have easily cast a more authentic Mary Kom and given secondary roles to well-known stars for that commercial draw. If it was done right it could have become commercially successful. I'm not going to scream and say that the makers were horribly wrong. But I think we all can accept that the makers were too risk averse and compromised authenticity in the process.