Big B slams 'Slumdog Millionaire'

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simplyfilmi

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Posted: 17 years ago

Big B slams 'Slumdog Millionaire'
By IANS, 14 January, 2009

Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan has slammed Danny Boyle's Golden Globe award winning underdog drama "Slumdog Millionaire" for
showing India in poor light.

"If 'Slumdog Millionaire' projects India as Third World dirty underbelly developing nation and causes pain and disgust among nationalists and patriots, let it be known that a murky underbelly exists and thrives even in the most developed nations," Amitabh said in a posting on his blog on Wednesday from Paris, France.

"It's just that the 'Slumdog Millioanire' idea authored by an Indian and conceived and cinematically put together by a westerner, gets creative global recognition," he added.

The 66-year-old also talked about the changing trend in recognition of Indian cinema.

"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... and not a word of appreciation for the entertaining mass-oriented box office blockbusters that were being churned out from Mumbai.

"Ray portrayed reality. While, the other — escapism, fantasy and incredulous posturing. Unimpressive for Cannes and Berlin and Venice (film festivals)," he explained.

He further wrote: "But look how rapidly all that is changing. Dedicated TV channels running Hindi cinema on prime timings. Premieres at Leicester Square (referring to 'Chandni Chowk To China'), the home of all Hollywood royalty, thronged by hundreds on the street in cold biting weather."

https://www.filmicafe.com/news_detail.php?news_id=9034

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melancholic

@melancholic

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Posted: 17 years ago

he is right in a wayyy..

even news channels were talking abt this! til wat date India will b shown as a country full of slums and garibi?? which is actually not true...

bt then it ws a film and according to reveiws it is a very well made movie , sooo if taken as a movie , if it won the awards it must hav been well deserving

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Antlers

@Antlers

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Posted: 17 years ago

👍🏼 agreed!
I just posted this on my facebook :[ Ashamed and Proud.

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345162

Suspended

Posted: 17 years ago

Typical "desi" mentality....ridiculous! I'm looking at you, Mr. Bacchan. 🤢 When this movie had a limited release back in October/november...none of the Indian news channels covered it. Hell....most people did not even know what the hell it was. Now that this underdog of a movie is getting such worldwide appreciation and hype.....here comes the self proclaimed "Big B" rubbishing it. Hilarious.

His comment seems to generate more from insecurity that his "media made" or "real life rival" SRK went to the Globes rather than him. Tough luck, Bacchan....you might want to try next time.

This is the kind of stuff that makes my blood boil!!! Pathetic. An Indian filmmaker would never ever be able to do this. Except maybe Satyajit Ray (his Apu was awesome!).....they would instead glamorize everything. But then ofcourse Mr. Bacchan and his ilk have probably never watched movies like Cidade de Deus or Amorres perros....so how the hell would he understand a movie like Slumdog!!!🤢

Edited by flaviya - 17 years ago

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Antlers

@Antlers

Sparkler

Posted: 17 years ago

"Despite the Times of India's warm welcome, a new headline running on Wednesday morning asked what it called "the BIG question" - "Is India ready to accept Slumdog Millionaire?"
With its Indian release date fast looming, the paper asked: "While the world is raving about it, is Mumbai ready to see its underbelly being exposed in the most brutal way on the big screen, that too by a British director?"

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/4238770/Slumdog-Millionaire-sparks-wave-of-national-pride-across-India-Golden-Globes.html

SM releases in India Jan 23rd

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Antlers

@Antlers

Sparkler

Posted: 17 years ago

Originally posted by: flaviya
Typical "desi" mentality....ridiculous! I'm looking at you, Mr. Bacchan. 🤢

When this movie had a limited release back in October/november...none of the Indian news channels covered it. Hell....most people did not even know what the hell it was. Now that this underdog of a movie is getting such worldwide appreciation and hype.....here comes the self proclaimed "Big B" rubbishing it. Hilarious.

His commentseems to generate more from insecurity that his "media made" or "real life rival" SRK went to the Globes rather than him. Tough luck, Bacchan....you might want to try next time.

This is the kind of stuff that makes my blood boil!!! Pathetic.

first of all, why are you stereotyping as typical desi? and second, he does not mention SRK no what so ever. He has right to have a opinion. all he's saying a British film that showcases slums in India and what is so proud to be? 😕

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345162

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Posted: 17 years ago

Originally posted by: Theatre
first of all, why are you stereotyping as typical desi? and second, he does not mention SRK no what so ever. He has right to have a opinion. all he's saying a British film that showcases slums in India and what is so proud to be? 😕

So what is so wrong in showcasing slums?! Indian filmmakers will not portray the real slums of Mumbai. instead.....majority of them have their heroins wear shiffon saris and dance in the alps......FAR FROM REALITY! The premise of SM is real. Most indians in india are poor. Most indian cities are dirty...Most street kids do look malnutritioned and dirty. Wealth is distributed disproportionately. You have the Ambanis on one hand and street kids on the other. If Mr. Bacchan cannot digest watching this movie despite having to face this reality all his life, then sucks for him. Because the rest of the world has appreciated Danny Boyle's effort.

I'm stereotyping "desis" because this is generally how they tend to think! Why does everything have to be about them? This movie was made by Danny Boyle. He did not make it to make Indians proud or *shock*, * horror* make them ashamed! He made it because he found the novel interesting and obviously no one in India would have thought of making a film out of it.....so he took the initiative and made it. And guess what?! it is either a good movie or a bad movie not an Indian or an alien movie! So there is no need to criticize this movie from the subjective viewpoint of an Indian. If you dislike this movie so darn much....why not criticize its concept and content.....why criticize the way the country is portrayed. And whats so wrong with the portrayal of the slums, anyway? Thats what Dharavi in mumbai is like....its the biggest slum of the world. Ofcourse Bacchan would not know this because he only plays the rich NRI characters these days.🤢

Edited by flaviya - 17 years ago

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gossipgurls

@gossipgurls

Dazzler

+ 2

Posted: 17 years ago

Omg look who is talking? I mean Mr. Bachan, pls for once get off you merz and your posh house for once step out n c they r just living there... Slums r apart of india we just can't ignore that , those ppl r part of this country, just because u hav all the money in the world will not change the fate of India.. When is the last time u did charity???? Ppl like u can only give bashan...15 riches ppl in the world r from India according to Fobes. If u guys come together you can eradicated slums in india .

I guess it's sour grapes as well.... Since the moive has gone international.. Bachans can't stand that .. I mean if it was offered to the bachans would they deny not doing the movie cox of slums

Mr.bachan stop preaching n start acting

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gossipgurls

@gossipgurls

Dazzler

+ 2

Posted: 17 years ago

Originally posted by: flaviya

So what is so wrong in showcasing slums?! Indian filmmakers will not portray the real slums of Mumbai. instead.....majority of them have their heroins wear shiffon saris and dance in the alps......FAR FROM REALITY! The premise of SM is real. Most indians in india are poor. Most indian cities are dirty...Most street kids do look malnutritioned and dirty. Wealth is distributed disproportionately. You have the Ambanis on one hand and street kids on the other. If Mr. Bacchan cannot digest watching this movie despite having to face this reality all his life, then sucks for him. Because the rest of the world has appreciated Danny Boyle's effort.

I'm stereotyping "desis" because this is generally how they tend to think! Why does everything have to be about them? This movie was made by Danny Boyle. He did not make it to make Indians proud or *shock*, * horror* make themashamed! He made it because he found the novel interesting and obviously no one in India would have thought of making a film out of it.....so he took the initiative and made it. And guess what?! it is either a good movie or a bad movie not an Indian or an alien movie! So there is no need to criticize this movie from the subjective viewpoint of an Indian. If you dislike this movie so darn much....why not criticize its concept and content.....why criticize the way the country is portrayed. And whats so wrong with the portrayal of the slums, anyway? Thats what Dharavi in mumbai is like....its the biggest slum of the world. Ofcourse Bacchan would not know this because he only plays the rich NRI characters these days.🤢

I agree with u 100%... well said

Edited by rosenav - 17 years ago