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Some Things Change...Some Dont

Remember the baddies in movies of yesteryear who would tie up the old rich man and threaten him of dire consequences if he did not offer that "one signature" so that they can get the possession of his bungalow, car, factories, properties, his undergarments etc? How simple were those times! Nowadays even for a simple home loan, the bank guys insist you to sign in at least fifty places. No wonder the recent movies have no baddies who ask for that "one signature". I am sometimes happy that such naivety in Indian movies is gone. But, I sometimes miss the stupid charm of such scenes!

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Another major improvement in Indian cinema is the disappearance of the "poor hero". I dont think there is any other country which glorified and celebrated poverty as much as we did. In the old movies, the poor guy is a honest 'paapa' person. And rich guy is evil. Almost always. The reality is, a poor guy need not always be the one who was cheated by the evil guy. He could a person who is lazy, or one who blows off all that he earns on gambling and drinking. A rich guy need not always be the one who exploits the poor, he could be one who earned money by working hard and being smart. Alwa? The common dialogue in the old movies are "I have no dhana, but I have guna". The sheer contempt they exhibit towards dhana is so meaningless. Just like that forward which said - "Money can buy you mattress, but not sleep". What they forget is that comfortable mattress and sleep are not mutually exclusive. If you are cursed with sleeplessness, dont you think its better to suffer lying on a comfortable mattress? This chee-cheeing of money has gone of late. Thankfully!

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Indian movies have become "bigger and bolder" over the years. Read it as more budget and less costume. But, the interesting thing is that even now, all the lovemaking scenes are accompanied by songs or background music. Not sure if censors object to moaning in Indian cinema. Well, I think I am having high expectations. We are yet to have a comfortable kissing scene in Indian cinema and I am asking for much more. Remember the Vidya Balan - Madhavan kiss from "Guru"? Thinking of it always makes me laugh. You could easily finish a Tower of Hanoi puzzle with 6 discs by the time they searched for each others' lips. I think Madhavan might have felt that Vidya Balan's big nose was too much of an obstacle :)

***

I dont know if you have been in such an argument, but I always have the knack of finding that Some Other Person (SOP) for such an argument.
SOP: I dont like Dr. Rajkumar. He is not a nice person.
Me: Why do you say that?
SOP: Because he has done nothing for the people.
Me: Means?
SOP: Look at Rajnikanth, he gifts autos to his fans. Chiranjeevi also gives a lot to his fans. What has Rajkumar done to his fans?
Me: Why should he?
SOP: (with a perplexed look) What do you mean why? He is what he is because of the love of the people. He should do something for the people.
Me: You got it all wrong. The thing is he is an actor, thats his profession. People like his acting, they see his movies, he is popular. Thats it. People pay up to see what they like. Would you expect a very famous money-making blogger to donate something to his readers because he is what he is due to his readers? Ridiculous! So, if someone has made lots of money, its up to him how he wants to use it. If he wants to do some charity, thats fine. If he wants to spend it himself, that should be fine too. Nobody has a right to tell someone what he has to do with his money.

I have not got a proper response from any of the SOPs. If you are one of those SOPs, let me know what you think.

Comments

Anonymous said…
I love the new look of your blog!
Anonymous said…
I have met such SOPs when Dr.Rajkumar was kidnapped. :)
praneshachar said…
democracy so many expectations from so many corners. in case of DR.Rajkumar all time great of kannada cinema mostly it was talked even though he was keen doing certain things for public but could not do because so and so controlled the finances and nothing will without hte clerance. how far it is true god nly knows.
this will certainly not going to reduce his image his fans and respect he got from the people of karnataka and othere
Anonymous said…
I think one of the things that has given rise to these changes is a changing audience. Now we have a huge 300m middle class and also an NRI audience which the producers try to target.
Scribblers Inc said…
But he is doctor also??(ref:savitha)

Scribblers Inc.
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Anonymous said…
SOP: I think it's time that you started paying money to me as I am reading your blogs :-)

BTW, Rajni and Chiru are probably more into donating cos they have political ambitions.

Also, I remember that Raj Kumar had done few things like constructing water tank in some village (probably in his native village).

PS: I am heading to SRK's house to collect a check!
Anonymous said…
The SOPs (sounds very similar to SOBs, but anyway) may not have put it as effectively as they wanted to. But what they are merely saying is, as a man of power, influence and wealth, Dr. Rajkumar could have probably given back much more to the society than he did. Its true that he has the right to do whatever with his wealth but some thought towards other people not so fortunate would have uplifted him from a hollow existence. Having said that I am not sure if Dr. Rajkumar did or did not do those things. I am not sitting in judgement of his life. Just thought I will clarify what the SOPs might be hinting at.
Bit Hawk said…
@parijaatha
Thanks!

@savitha
Those SOPs, I tell ya!

@kadalabal
I dont really care if he did or did not due to the external influences or himself. Its the attitude, aspiring for somebody's possession (even with the nicest excuse of he is rich, I am poor and I like him) that is sickening.

@nita
I have seen drastic changes in movie budget, unfortunately not so much with the mindset.

@scribblers inc.
Rajkumar is a doctor, as in he has got a Doctorate from Mysore university.

@Shesha
If all SOPs promptly click on the ads without google knowing that its a fraud, I am willing to donate a fair share in that ;)

@anonymous
Exactly this line of argument is what annoys me about the SOPs. He "can" give back to the society, but what SOPs ask subtly is that if you want to be considered a good person, you "should" give back. As an underprivileged fan, I am spending whatever amount I am paying to seeing a movie (thereby making the actor rich) is because of the pleasure I get out of watching movies. These are the same SOPs who feel moral superiority when passing judgement over others, but cringe when their house maids ask for a raise from Rs.200 to Rs.220.
Unknown said…
A co-worker told me about your blog. I enjoyed reading all of your entries. Hope to see you continue posting.
Anonymous said…
As I said earlier, whether a person gives back to society or not is his personal choice really. But I also belive that what separates an "also-lived" from a noble guy is what he gives back to society, the charity he does, the help he offers and gives, "friend in need is a friend indeed", remember?. How else do you say a person is good? What other parameters do you have? Nobody is saying this because people paid money to watch his movies and (according to them) are indirectly responsible for his wealth. But its applicable to everybody, Dr. Rajkumar or N.R. Narayanamurthy. You may not believe in this line of thought. But explaining away a hedonistic life with a "pro-choice" argument is inane.
Anonymous said…
I totally agree with what Nita had to say. Its the NRIs that most producers target. If the movie is a hit abroad... it recovers its costs and NRIs have a bit more to spend so... some movies are big time flop in India but outside India they are a hit. Anyways... got a beef with Bollywood? Express your view with like minded individuals at Bollywood Bashers
Anonymous said…
Good one! I hate those SOBs, oops SOPs. ;-)

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