The Real Slumdog Millionaires
June 13th 2009 15:47
Bollywood has been gaining greater industry cred over the last year or so, thanks to Danny Boyle, films like "Bride and Prejudice", and Bollywood dance classes. It even gets a mention in Disney's HSM3 as the ultimate final destination on a starlet's journey to self-promotion, and Disney even made a crossover movie with "The Cheetah Girls" film (I know this as I have a tweenager, who, I'm proud to say, knew who Aishwarya Rai was before she knew of Miley Cyrus). Disney is brilliant at cross-promotion, so it is only logical that they have jumped on the Bollywood bandwagon, whose films regularly feature product placements as part of the action (the film "Baghban" springs to mind, with its blantant advertising of a certain brand of tea intertwined in a legitimate part of the script). Disney's self-referential script writing pales into insignificance to such amazing scenes as the after-party scene in "Om Shanti Om", where almost everyone who has ever been a star in a Bollywood film, and was still walking and presentable, got a dance on role.
Indian businesses are acceptionally clever at making the most of every opportunity. Like the kids in "Slumdog Millionaire" on the train and at the Taj, they create opportunities. Whether it's boosting your chai brand's profile by having Amitabh consume it on rising and on returning home to his beautiful, dutiful wife; or by creating a clever way to learn the tricks of the trade of the world's finest cricketers, whilst undermining their abilities to succeed as a national team through player fatigue, by paying them more than they earn on their national contracts; they are astute business people, and will, as a nation, give the Yanks a run for their money.
The challenge for India's elite is to create equity and opportunity in their society. Whilst Bollywood stars are drenched in diamonds, watches, and designer suits, salwars and saris, villages burn and kids die. Can India become better than the US in this field? Surely Bollywood needs some philanthropists and politcal activists, like Hollywood has seen.
I look forward to seeing this occur. We cannot wait for "destiny" to intervene in improving educational, health and social conditions for the "slumdogs". Someone local has to take a stand and do some good, with the blessings they have received.
In the meantime, though, I cannot begrudge them their award ceremonies, and will watch in awe as some of the most elegant and beautiful people existing today celebrate their achievements. "Slumdogs" sure beat the "white trash" celebrities in classiness and decorum.
Your text goes here
The challenge for India's elite is to create equity and opportunity in their society. Whilst Bollywood stars are drenched in diamonds, watches, and designer suits, salwars and saris, villages burn and kids die. Can India become better than the US in this field? Surely Bollywood needs some philanthropists and politcal activists, like Hollywood has seen.
In the meantime, though, I cannot begrudge them their award ceremonies, and will watch in awe as some of the most elegant and beautiful people existing today celebrate their achievements. "Slumdogs" sure beat the "white trash" celebrities in classiness and decorum.
Your text goes here
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