Mangal Pandey and Locarno – Why are we so Oscar needy?
Mohit Rajhans - July 29, 2005
Mangal Pandey and Locarno – Why are we so Oscar needy?
The debate about being acknowledged in the west in order to measure succeess in the east has recently become amplified within The Indian Film Industry. Next week marks another monumental achievement as The Locarno Festival opens with Mangal Pandey The Rising. Unlike the previous Aamir Khan outing at this film fest people seem to be buzzing about the potential for an Oscar nod before the film has even screened.
It was only after Lagaan had screened in separate sold out theatres and after it had its subsequent box office success did people start to consider the film as a potential contender. If you recall there was a bit of controversy as well with the Monsoon Wedding fans who felt Mira should have been represented India in the Oscar race.
The problem now for Mangal Pandey will be for it to live up to its hype. This, coupled with the fact that Aamir has taken a significant break from the business to make this film has the media buzzing about the films potential for success and/or failure.
All though there is plenty of time to have Oscar debates, I do have to worry about the hype around the film. I also worry that Indian cinema at times relies on one or two films a year to carry the international torch, when so many worthy films get brushed to the side due to lack of indigenous marketing support and lack of local interest.(more on that after I catch the gems at various festivals).
The rising has all of the potential to make its mark on the world and for many reasons I hope it does. I however loath the thought of success only being built on the The Academy and further more I worry about a potential back lash from critics/public who are expecting the world.
BTW – Like all good historical films, debates have already begun about the historical accuracy of the film. We can get into that debate once the film is released.
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Posted by Mohit Rajhans at July 29, 2005 03:47 PM
Comments
We don't need anything from Oscar Land. India produces the best films and cannot be measured by dollar value and critical acclaim.. Our indutry fules our country and the NRI filmmakers are more proof that we will be the global cinema leaders by 2010. Lets make that our goal. Cinema Domination by 2010.
What else has Ketan Mehta really done to qualify for all of this hype. This might be his make it or break it film.
Cinema Domination by 2010? I am sorry to disagree but this is not a race. And why do we need anything from the Oscars? We don't but once a film from India does win at the Oscars every Indian will claim a victory.
Sory to disagree but Indians are obsessed with the Oscars, the filmmakers cannot help talking about it, the indian audiences cannot help loathing it and Indian news media cannot help but to promote films that may be even a slight hopeful for acceptance and per chance victory at the Oscars.
This is not an India issue but a world issue. Every country has such dreams from their respective indsutries. A number of years ago "NO MAN'S LAND" won best foriegn film and it signficantly helped the Bosnia region, recently Pedro Almodovar who seems to win almost every other year with his movies have invigorated a previously defunt Spanish and Hispanic cinema in terms of attention.
The biggest coup by far has been the victory of nomination by "CITY OF GOD" for the country of Brazil.
Its not an India obsession, and if you are to think that we as Indians don't care or shouldn't care, you should go to the streets of Mumbai and ask them. Whenever I go, the only topic I ever hear is the Oscars for this year, boc office grosses and what "our" chances are!
Cinema Domination by 2010? I am sorry to disagree but this is not a race. And why do we need anything from the Oscars? We don't but once a film from India does win at the Oscars every Indian will claim a victory.
Sory to disagree but Indians are obsessed with the Oscars, the filmmakers cannot help talking about it, the indian audiences cannot help loathing it and Indian news media cannot help but to promote films that may be even a slight hopeful for acceptance and per chance victory at the Oscars.
This is not an India issue but a world issue. Every country has such dreams from their respective indsutries. A number of years ago "NO MAN'S LAND" won best foriegn film and it signficantly helped the Bosnia region, recently Pedro Almodovar who seems to win almost every other year with his movies have invigorated a previously defunt Spanish and Hispanic cinema in terms of attention.
The biggest coup by far has been the victory of nomination by "CITY OF GOD" for the country of Brazil.
Its not an India obsession, and if you are to think that we as Indians don't care or shouldn't care, you should go to the streets of Mumbai and ask them. Whenever I go, the only topic I ever hear is the Oscars for this year, boc office grosses and what "our" chances are!
... when I saw a publicity hoarding of BLACK in Juhu proudly saying "oscar like performances" I gnashed my teeth in anger... pray tell me WHY OSCAR LIKE PERFORMANCE????? After more than 50 years of freedom why do we still hanker for occidental approval... which is meted out grudgingly every now and then.... come on...specially after Lagaan suddenly Oscar has become the next buzzword Bollywood... i wish people focussed on making films with the right intent [some still do ] - everything else will follow... everything else is a by product.
I sometimes find it, well, off-putting that so many Indians ascribe so much value and integrity to the Oscars, when they are equally as plauged with corruption, politics and favouritism as many Indian awards ceremonies. However, this it just how it is, Oscars are the epitome of recognition in cinema, and often translate into prosperity for those who win them. The success of Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon and the consequent burgeoning Hong Kong film industry is testimant to just how crucial Oscars are in filmdom.
The Indian film industry is hugely talented, and as of late has become world-class. It deserves to be represented and recognized all over the world. It further acts as a medium to educate the world about Indian culture, it's heritage and contemporary India. As a foreinger myself(I am of Indian ethnicity) I am surprised by the amount of ignorance others in the world have about India. The Rising, Mangal Pandey is an opportunity to educate the world about our heritage and history. If it were to become a cross over hit and/or win Oscars, that segment of history of India would be known by so many. Why stop there? Educate them about Moghul Raj, King Ashoka, The Sikh Gurus, Ramayana, Mahabharata. If Indians are not going to represent India, then who is?
India has such a rich and colourful culture, such beautiful and sublime philosophies and spirituality that the world should be introduced to, especially in this age. Why do we have to look westwards for ideas? This is why I am proud that Lagaan and Devdas were chosen to represent India at the Oscars, because they are idiosyncratic of our culture and our storytelling traditions. This year, I hope "The Rising" represents us(provided it is good) India needs to make more Indian movies. Thankfully, Indian producers are beginning to acknowledge the wisdom in this and are starting to do just that: Jodha-Akbar, Bajiro Mastani, Hanuman, Bhagamati-Queen of fortunes. Recently, the media was abuzz about Bobby Bedi making a Mahabharata triology. I truly and deeply hope this is true - I've been wanting this to happen for so many years now.
Hopefully, by god's grace, The Rising will be a global phenomena and usher in prosperity for the Indian film industry and India.
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This film will live and die by its hype. You watch, people will like it in West and hate it in the east. Aamir Khan has done nothing but create his own hype.