Big B defends his post on 'Slumdog Millionaire'

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simplyfilmi

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Posted: 16 years ago

Big B defends his post on 'Slumdog Millionaire'
By Filmicafe.com, 16 January, 2009

After showing discontent with the projection of India in Slumdog Millionaire, Amitabh Bachchan defends his post where he commented on Slumdog Millionaire.

Here is what Mr. Bachchan had to say:

What a colossal joke this is all turning out to be !! Without reading the text of my blog or the purpose behind mention of 'SlumDog' an entire machinery of abuse has been directed towards me.

Fact is. Some one mentioned the film on my blog. Some expressed opinion for it, some against. And yes they contained some strong assumptions. I merely put both of them up and invited debate. I have done this many times on several issues and there has been great involvement. Media, in India has taken the pros and cons of OTHERS, as MINE, built their headlines and put it safely out, thereby, causing the consternation. All the expressions that have been attributed to me are in fact the expressions of others. Or perceived impressions of others. Where is the indication that this impression is concretely mine ? There is none !! And now after having castigated me for something not attributable to me, it has made my real opinion on the film after seeing it, impossible. If I do not like it there will be greater abuse. If I like it, there will be abuse.

My apologies therefore, on this unfortunate and completely misguided occurrence. May peace prevail and prosperity follow. It is the most convenient and easiest practice to twist and distort words, especially if they come from celebrities. The copy makes good reading. Media did just that and made a screaming headline - 'AB slams Slum'. Note the use of word 'slam'. It is nowhere in my blog, but has been deliberately put because it rhymes and reads well with the word 'slum'. Headline structured, editorial happy and to hell with its truth and authenticity.

http://www.filmicafe.com/news_detail.php?news_id=9072

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simplyfilmi

@simplyfilmi

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Posted: 16 years ago

I dont think any one could manipulate the actual words that were posted on the blog ... So I doubt he was voicing others views.. because most of the time Big B quotes the person's name😕..

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Mistyy

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Posted: 16 years ago

this guy seriously needs to retire, gosh annoying!

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104869

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Posted: 16 years ago

If this indeed true, then its a pity that he has been completely mis-represented on this. The media needs to take the blame and make an un-conditional apology.

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345162

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Posted: 16 years ago

He has not been misrepresented. What was quoted in the media (not all the articles though....some exagerrated it!) was what he wrote exactly on his blog. I've read both. I don't go on to rain on someone's parade for no reason. I did read his blog.

This is what he wrote in his own words in his blog:

"If SM projects India as Third World dirty under belly developing nation and causes pain and disgust among nationalists and patriots, let it be known that a murky under belly exists and thrives even in the most developed nations. Its just that the SM idea authored by an Indian and conceived and cinematically put together by a Westerner, gets creative Globe recognition. The other would perhaps not.

The commercial escapist world of Indian Cinema had vociferously battled for years , on the attention paid and the adulation given to the legendary Satyajit Ray at all the prestigious Film Festivals of the West, and not a word of appreciation for the entertaining mass oriented box office block busters that were being churned out from Mumbai. The argument. Ray portrayed reality. The other escapism, fantasy and incredulous posturing. Unimpressive for Cannes and Berlin and Venice."

What's more surprising and annoying is the fact he has not even watched the movie to begin with. What business does he have criticizing it if he has not even watched it? Jeez....he seriously needs to retire. I hope he realizes that this is making him look like he has lost his marbles, right?

Now I can strongly hold unto my belief that his "dislike" for SM sprung out of jealousy. Nothing more. Nothing less. He is just pissed that relatively "real" films get all the adulation rather than the routine escapist cinema that bollywood churns out year after year. He seems to imply that escapist cinema is the underdog. Well....I ask...how the hell is it the underdog? All Chopra (at least used to) and Johar movies make millions of dollars and they are far far away from reality. In fact, nothing gets more publicity than a Johar/Aditya Chopra/ insert " any overhyped" director .... movie. On the other hand a well made good movies like Matrabhomi and Tahan (which are made by Indians in India, BTW) go unnoticed. So how is escapist cinema the underdog?! 😕

Also, next time, AB....watch the movie before you go forward and criticize it or lionize it.

Edited by flaviya - 16 years ago

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345162

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Posted: 16 years ago

"All the expressions that have been attributed to me are in fact the expressions of others. Or perceived impressions of others. Where is the indication that this impression is concretely mine ?"

Because it is your blog and you wrote it. You did not quote people who said it or expressed it. You did not give credit to people who "expressed it" as you so carelessly point out. You merely wrote it with your own words. Whats the point of denying it now? Most people have read it. Jeez.....you need to at least have enough guts to stand by your own criticism now that its out and about.

Edited by flaviya - 16 years ago

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bunbutt_too

@bunbutt_too

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Posted: 16 years ago

👏👏 Waah waah Amitabh maan gayey!! Issay kehetay hain, "giroh toh giroh, taang oonchi" 👎🏼👎🏼 This is probably your Only True Claim to all the best acting awards that you have received till now.

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LifeOLicious

@LifeOLicious

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Posted: 16 years ago

If SM projects India as Third World dirty under belly....

Ah that IF!! So all this comment on an IF. He commented based on people's comment on his blog. Well watch the movie first and then talk about it please. Don't use IF and rant about something. He could have said "Well I will comment on it once I seee the movie and see if SM actually projects India the way the people have commented on his blog!"

Really!!

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dongji

@dongji

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Posted: 16 years ago

All he was saying is that the realistic movies which show poverty always win awards whereas escapist and totally unrealistic movies do not win awards. Even then these movies are very popular.

He was basically just stating facts and not slamming anybody.

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LifeOLicious

@LifeOLicious

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Posted: 16 years ago

#10

Originally posted by: dongji
All he was saying is that the realistic movies which show poverty always win awards whereas escapist and totally unrealistic movies do not win awards. Even then these movies are very popular.
He was basically just stating facts and not slamming anybody.

Well ya he was...but that's how the western media works. So I don't see why he was ranting about it. It's not like they give awards to escapist films made in other parts of the world and ignore Indian escapist films. Apart from certain movies like Titanic and Lord of the Rings not many fantasy/love stories ever get any award especially blockbusters- they never get any awards. Most award winning films are based on real issues. In America the issue could be about gays or crime or racism...these are issues in the western world...in India and Africa and the likes our issue is poverty or religious/traibal riots/civil wars.

Edited by admail_bd - 16 years ago

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Big B defends his post on 'Slumdog Millionaire'

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